The C.A.P.E. League is a year-round program created to fully integrate the lives of young people in the DC metropolitan area with great opportunities and adults that will influence them positively. The strategy for this new program is to bring youth in per their interests in the arts, entertainment, and media industries - while developing them in a variety of other key areas, to become well-rounded adults. It allows urban youth to have desirable involvement with limited access industries to keep them engaged and motivated within the program - while simultaneously gaining key life skills, expanding their education, and doing community service.
C.A.P.E. is an acronym for the components of the League and what we focus our activities on:
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C - Community Involvement
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A - Academic Enhancement
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P - Personal and Professional Development
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E - Entertainment, Media and Arts
The League is geared toward young people who may not ordinarily be exposed to or able to afford to take part in enriching activities or kids who are classified as "at-risk, and are also interested in learning more about entertainment and the arts. It is designed to keep kids off the streets, expose them to interesting adults, and provide an outlet for stimulating occupation, while presenting activities that enhance them beyond the classroom. It supplies an additional resource for parents to give their kids something constructive to do, overcome boredom and prevent negative activity. The goal of the League is to impact the life of each member by expanding the scope of their environment - so they can become productive, well-rounded, forward-thinking adults. Throughout their membership, they are introduced to the behind the scenes worlds of entertainment and media; as well as the performing, literary, and visual arts. The League hopes to be a part of its members' entire adolescence, providing the program to them throughout their formidable years.
C.A.P.E. League Membership
The program is geared towards youth from underserved or financially disadvantaged, urban communities of the Washington, DC metro area, between ages of 8 and 16. The League is divided by two levels, junior and senior membership: juniors are members ages 8-12, seniors are ages 12-16. The League includes 30-40 members. Membership includes monthly activities - at least 40 per year, no less than 3 per month. After joining, each member receives a journal, an age appropriate book (for the book report), profile-information sheet to record their interests and school progress, and a gift bag (goodies provided by sponsors).
Membership also includes the following:
- Access to free tutoring throughout the school year
- A dedicated mentor that matches their personal and professional interests
- Enrichment components, designed to meet the total needs of each member
- Materials to supplement the experiences and activities
- Partnerships with The Kennedy Center, Raising Expectations, Howard University and Washington Improv Theatre for additional resources, activities, and events
- SAT/PSAT Classes (future)
In the effort to be involved with the entire environment of each member, we help
the kids become involved in other interests and organizations, support their
current endeavors, provide various training and lessons, help them find summer
and part-time jobs, and align them with great opportunities and people outside
of the League.
The program is free to all participants who meet the criteria, in the form of
grants from the organization and donors. Otherwise, the program is valued at
$1,500 per year (no members pays this amount).