WELCOME ALL

Academy 4 is launching a new blog to communicate some current events and share some wonderful stories from the people who make it all possible – our mentors, club leaders, other volunteers, teachers, and Academy 4 staff.

The initial few months Academy 4 Friday’s have flown by, and I am delighted to say it has been a success! We launched five new schools for a total of 11 this year and more kids and mentors than ever are experiencing the joy of Academy 4 Fridays. Through the efforts of our mentors, club leaders, and volunteers, our Academy 4 fourth graders have experienced many Academy 4 Fridays full of smiles, laughs, and new experiences!

Every month we hear stories that move us and leave us with a smile from ear to ear. Here’s my favorite one so far this year, as told by one of our site coordinators. It will touch your heart.

“One of the life skills 4th graders, Rose, was super nervous about coming to the first Academy 4 and was trying to back out on Friday.  She told her teacher that she felt everyone would stare at her because of her wheel chair, no one would talk to her, she wouldn’t be able to do the club stuff, and her mentor would probably be sad she got the kid in the wheelchair. The teacher asked her to just go this one time, and if it was terrible she didn’t have to go again. Rose had a great time at her clubs and she and her mentor were all smiles! When it was over, Rose told her teacher that no one stared, people talked to me, everyone was nice, no one minded having to push my wheelchair, I had so much fun. I love my mentor. This was the best day ever!”

Stories like the one above, reminds us of the important difference we can make together in the lives of our 4th graders.

John Shearer,
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Executive Director
Academy 4