MindLeaps transitions at-risk children to stable lives in school and the workplace through programs in Africa, the US and the Balkans. This begins with our dance program, engaging kids in fun classes based on a methodology crafted to develop cognitive and social-emotional skills vital to success. With our ongoing support, children are sponsored in formal education. MindLeaps also strengthens the family unit through small business investments and access to computer training and technology.
Children and youth make up 42% of the world's population, and many are vulnerable due to poverty, conflict or radicalization. They have little or no chance of attending or succeeding in school, or entering the job market. Unstable home lives and the struggle to meet basic needs play a role in blocking education and formulating long-term goals. With no intervention or support, these children cannot achieve self-sufficiency and become productive members of their communities.
We use dance as a tool to spark positive behavioral change that opens paths to education and employment. Our movement-based classes demonstrably track cognitive and social-emotional skills development through a software application called Tracker. We further support children by sponsoring them in formal schooling, where 60-80% perform in the top 20% of their classes. We also address youth unemployment with online entrepreneurship courses. The end result is greater independence and self-reliance.
Children and youth are the decision-makers and leaders of tomorrow. When these children gain skills that enable them to take positive control of their lives, they will be better equipped to achieve their potential in the future. Putting children on a path to education, independence and self-sufficiency produces positive change not only in their own lives, but also extends to the ongoing contributions they will make to their families and larger communities.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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