Enrich Kids Now DBA YES!

Who are we?

YES! is an Atlanta -Based Nonprofit Performing Arts Outreach Program that provides mobile enrichment to expose youth to the arts that they would otherwise not have the opportunity to enjoy. YES! aims to be affordable and accessible offering programs where children naturally are throughout the day. Yes! provides community programs such as daycare centers, churches, schools, and school districts with a unique educational arts experience at their home site.

What is our project?

YES! is raising $25000 to fund our NEW effort: SAY YES! TO DANCE. This Campaign will provide Atlanta-area schools and community programs with dance, fitness and arts education enrichment throughout the 2021-2022 academic school year. By reaching our goal, we will be able to provide 200 students with 10 months of quality programs in their existing learning environment.

Youth Enrichment Services' curriculum focuses on technique and performance. All classes are structured as follows: (1) Warm up (2) Stretch (3) Technique (4) Choreography (5) Cool down. YES! classes have historical and performance components taught by engaging and professional instructors.

Why is this a big deal?

School budget cuts are at an all time high. A 2008, national survey follow-up analysis by the Center on Education Policy showed, in the five years after enactment of No Child Left Behind, that 16 percent of school districts had reduced elementary school class time for music and art. Artistic programs like dance, drama and music were labeled “Non-essentials' ' and” and were the first to go. In Georgia, for example, 42 percent of schools eliminated art and music due to the Recession. But according to recent studies highlighting the benefits of arts education; formal arts instruction for children result in the following: Pro-social behavior, Enhanced academic achievement, Improved attendance and student behavior.

• Arts education promotes academic achievement: A 2020 study of over 112,000 public school students, the largest of its kind to date, showed that “highly engaged instrumental music students were, on average, academically over one year ahead of their peers.” These results were independent of students’ language/cultural background, neighborhood, or socio-economic status.
• Arts education reduces disciplinary infractions: A 2018 randomized control study of over 10,500 3rd through 8th graders found that arts education experiences reduced the proportion of students in a school receiving disciplinary infractions by 3.6 percentage points. This study, which followed Houston’s Arts Access Initiative, also found statistically significant evidence that arts education experiences improve writing achievement and increase students’ compassion for others.
• Arts education remains inequitable: An academic outcomes report published by the US Department of Education in 2018 revealed that “white students earned more credits in fine arts (2.0 credits) than Asian students (1.8 credits), and both groups earned more credits than Hispanic students (1.6 credits) and Black students (1.5 credits).” A 2019 longitudinal study following a diverse sample of over 30,000 students found that “Black students, males, those with disabilities, those in poverty, and those not yet fully proficient in English are not getting the same opportunities for exposure to the arts in public middle schools as are other groups.” These findings reflect broader inequities and access gaps apparent in both the K-12 education system and the arts & culture sector as a whole.

How Can I Help?

Make A Donation - We would love each donor to give at the level comfortable to them $25, $50, $100 or any amount. We are grateful for each and every donation

Share Our Campaign - Spreading the word to people that may want to support is the lifeblood of our campaign efforts. SHARE SHARE SHARE

Sign Up to Volunteer - We are looking for volunteers to help spread the word about our program. Tasks include, but are not limited to making social posts, engaging on social media, sending texts, sending emails, helping at events.