POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CHANGES LIVES, BUILDS LEADERS

young boy in cockpit of airplane

Finding Purpose – and a Path

Heroes Academy serves kids from 3rd through 8th grades in Wichita public schools, USD 259. Currently, we’re in six schools. As a 501(C)3 nonprofit, our committed band of staff, volunteers and supporters help students find purpose through service to others, access to meaningful life events and changes in their life circumstances. That’s a tall order. But an achievable one. How do we know? We’ve been doing it since 2008.

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children participating in heros academy programs

Programs

During the 9-month school year, we offer after-school and in-school mentoring. Whether we’re in a classroom, at our location or on a field trip, we offer life-changing opportunities. Exposing kids to different experiences spurs them to envision new possibilities for their place in the world. Activities like horseback riding, fishing, volunteering, arts and cooking build confidence.

Mentors

A combination of volunteer and staff mentors pair with select kids and meaningful programs. They help with everything from grades and accountability to behavior and attendance. If kids are struggling, we try to understand what’s holding them back. If they are a born leader, we help leverage their strengths to be even more successful. Mentors offer motivation, guidance, emotional support and role modeling. They help apply lessons learned to kids’ everyday lives.

heros academy mentors with their mentees
heros academy kids doing service project

Service

Our students develop empathy, kindness, compassion and selflessness helping others. You’ll see them cleaning up parks. Serving at The Lord’s Diner. Painting a community mural. Selling at a farmers’ market. You name it. We’ve probably done it or have plans to. Lessons learned translate to their academics – and lives.

Store

Our kids earn Hero Bucks for their efforts. They redeem fake money for real goods at our store, offering things like headphones, apparel, toiletries and home items. They learn to save and spend wisely, perhaps getting something for themselves that they couldn’t otherwise afford or even necessities for their families.

kids using heros bucks at store
Positive experiences and caring role models help our kids find purpose and the path right for them. Kyle Ellison, Heroes Academy Executive Director
children listening at school

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

GORDON PARKS

MAYBERRY

ROBINSON

COLEMAN

GREIFFENSTEIN-WELLS

CURTIS