Unlocking Potential in After School: How Afterschool Programs are Shaping the Workforce of Tomorrow
By Nicole Lovecchio, Chief Learning Officer, Wings for Kids
Every afternoon, after the school bell rings, something extraordinary happens in afterschool programs. Classrooms and cafeterias transform into spaces where kids build skills that go far beyond academics. These moments matter because they’re not just about filling the hours between school and...
Creating Communities of Care
A Wings for Kids SEL Day 2025 Celebration
When Alan, a fifth-grader in our afterschool program, started reminding students to be kind and caring, we knew something remarkable was happening. He would say “Do you hear your Wings Leaders talk to you like that? So we should not talk to our teammates like that. That isn’t kind.” This wasn't...
Building Tomorrow's Success Today: Why Early SEL Investment Shapes Educational Journeys
By Julia Rugg, CEO, Wings for Kids
What we nurture in a child's earliest years shouldn't fade when they enter elementary school. Yet too often, the vital social-emotional skills developed during ages 0-5 take a backseat to standardized testing and academic benchmarks. At Wings for Kids, we've learned that this creates a critical...
Wings for Kids Welcomes Two New Board Members
We are honored to welcome Max Gray and Bliss Lansing to the Wings for Kids Board of Directors! As we continue to grow and expand our impact, we look forward to their strategic guidance and support in advancing our mission of equipping children with essential social-emotional skills. Max Gray...
Helping Kids Thrive This Holiday Season with SEL
As the holiday season approaches, children face a mix of excitement, stress, and unpredictability. For kids, especially those in under-resourced communities, this time can bring unique challenges that affect their social and emotional well-being. At Wings for Kids, our expertise in...
Annual Report 2024
Flying High with Wings for Kids
Your generous spirit shaped a fantastic year! Thank you for being a part of our WINGS community. No matter how challenging or unpredictable a year can be, WINGS delivers. And, that's impossible for us to do without donors, friends, and fans like you. See the impact, opportunities, and activities...
Join Us For The WINGS Bring a Friend Blitz!
Calling all Wings for Kids friends, family, and supporters! 📣 Starting November 4 and running through December 13, we’re hosting the Bring a Friend Blitz! This rolling event is a unique chance to bring friends, family members, or anyone else interested in working with WINGS, volunteering, or just...
Official Press Release: Wings for Kids Receives Grant from The Cigna Group Foundation
Wings for Kids Receives $100,000 Grant from The Cigna Group Foundation to Help Address Youth Mental Health Crisis October 8, 2024 – Wings for Kids has been awarded a grant of $100,000 from The Cigna Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group, to help address the youth mental...
An Open Letter from New CEO Julia Rugg
A Message from Julia Rugg, CEO of Wings for Kids
Dear WINGS Friends and Family, I am honored and privileged to be the next CEO of Wings for Kids! My journey at WINGS started 13 years ago in the basement of a church. I was interviewed by the WINGS team and our legendary Hayes Mizell, and was immediately hooked into the WINGS flock as the team...
Preparing Students for the Future: How SEL Builds Leaders for School, Careers, and Beyond
When kids dream of becoming astronauts, artists, writers, doctors, or scientists, they often picture the excitement of the job—soaring through space, saving lives, writing the next best-seller or mega-hit, or making groundbreaking discoveries. As kids, they don’t always think about the skills...
The Missing Piece: Why Professional Development is Key to Effective SEL Implementation
In the constantly shifting landscape of education, social emotional learning (SEL) has remained a critical component of student success. Momentum has grown, though, as schools and other youth-focused programs increasingly recognize the value of positive youth development in shaping well-rounded...
Wings for Kids Receives Cigna Group Foundation Grant to Support Youth Mental Health and Social Emotional Learning
Wings for Kids is thrilled to announce our organization has been selected as a recipient of the Cigna Group Foundation’s new initiative to support youth mental health. This generous grant program, allocating $9 million to 22 youth mental health grantees over the next three years, is set to make a...
Exciting New Beginnings: Wings for Kids Expands to Fickett Elementary
As we gear up for the 2024-2025 school year, we’re buzzing with excitement about the new and familiar faces we’ll be welcoming to our afterschool programs. This year marks a special milestone as we roll out WINGS afterschool program at a brand-new site: Fickett Elementary in Atlanta, GA. We’re...
Get The Guide: 6 Ways Caregivers Can Support the Transition to a New School
Helping Kids Adjust to a New school Designed with caregivers and parents in mind, this practical guide explores strategies to help students who are starting their year at a new school. From establishing routines and planning a visit to fostering open communication and a positive mindset, this...
5 Reasons You'll Love Working at WINGS
Ever wondered what it’s like to have a job that makes a real difference every single day? Working at Wings for Kids might just be your perfect match. Here, it’s not just about a paycheck; it’s about changing lives and having a blast while doing it! Check out these 5 reasons why you’ll love...
Exploring Both Sides: Dedicated SEL Teachers vs. Integrated SEL in Classroom Time
In classrooms across the country, the discussion surrounding social emotional learning (SEL) often centers on how it should be delivered within schools. One commonly heard debate is: Should there be dedicated teachers for SEL initiatives or should all teachers integrate SEL into their classrooms?...
2024 Student Stories of Growth
Before & After at WINGS
success stories written by the real change-makers: our program staff Meet Zechariah: 1st Grader At William M. Boyd Elementary in Atlanta, GA When Zechariah joined WINGS as a kindergartener (two years ago), he would not talk. If you asked him a question he’d only answer by shaking his head yes or...
Inspiring Financial Literacy: Caden Harris Visits WINGS Afterschool Program
A special thank you to our partners at Cummins for sharing Caden’s work with WINGS and facilitating his visit to our program at Heritage Academy. We are so grateful to Cummins for supporting educational experiences for WINGS students. Meet Caden Meet Caden Harris, a remarkable 14-year-old...
Using Art as a Medium to Teach SEL
Art has long been recognized as a powerful tool for teaching and learning, not only in terms of creativity and self-expression but also for developing essential social emotional skills. Educators, youth workers, and parents can harness the power of art to help students improve their understanding...
A Delicious Adventure: Wings for Kids Visits da Toscano Porchetta Shop in Charleston
Recently, WINGS students took an exciting field trip into the heart of Charleston to sandwich heaven da Toscano Porchetta Shop. What awaited them was a mouth-watering experience and a unique, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of gastronomy, courtesy of Porchetta owner and Wings for Kids...
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Wings for Kids Soars at Beyond School Hours Conference in New Orleans
Letting the Good times roll in the big easy! WINGS took a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana to attend, exhibit and present at the Beyond School Hours Conference hosted by Foundations, Inc. At the conference, WINGS hosted an informative workshop session which covered the essential topic of fostering...
Revealing the Facts: 5 Lesser-Known Truths of Social-Emotional Learning
It’s hard to separate fact from fiction these days. When it comes to explaining the benefits of SEL, it can feel challenging—especially as misconceptions swirl in the media and within school communities. Yet, advocating for the teaching and learning of social skills is crucial for children, now...
On The Horizon: Where To Find Us In 2024
WINGS is Soaring to Educational Conferences in 2024! WINGS is set to learn, grow, and share at major educational conferences in 2024. First on the roster is the Beyond School Hours Conference held by Foundations Inc. in the vibrant city of New Orleans, LA. This conference promises a dynamic...
5 Ways to Make Your Classroom More Emotionally Intelligent
Creating an emotionally intelligent classroom is a powerful tool for fostering a positive learning environment. As teachers and youth workers, we play a crucial role in not just imparting knowledge but also in nurturing the emotional well-being of our students. Here are five practical and...
Managing the Highs and Lows of Winter Break
As we approach winter break, we are mindful that this time of year can stir up a variety of emotions in our students: excitement, anticipation, stress, and even apprehension. Every student is unique, and the level of support they require varies, but the key to creating a safe and inclusive...
Embedding SEL within the culture of the YMCA Metro Atlanta
Project Snapshot In the spring of 2021, Wings for Kids and YMCA Metro Atlanta launched a collaborative partnership to provide more than 3,750 children with social emotional learning and real-world skills. Through strategic planning, professional development, and guided implementation, WINGS...
Transformative Impact on BGC Central Wyoming
WINGS Leads an All-Day Workshop in Casper, Wyoming
In October 2023, Community & Partner Project Specialist Mallory Dorsey made the journey from South Carolina to Casper, Wyoming to conduct an in-person professional development session with the staff at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming . The goals of this training were to equip the...
Not Just a Book: How to Use I Soar with Wings as a Teaching Tool
I Soar With Wings is the perfect medium to introduce social emotional skills to students. Inside the book are Words To Live By, a kid-friendly language designed to teach kids the five core competencies of SEL in a fun and engaging way. Using Words to Live By , kids will have the language to use...
Building Strong Foundations: How SEL Provides Proactive Support for Student Well-Being
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, addressing the mental health and well-being of students has taken center stage. While measures like adding more school psychologists, therapy dogs, or counseling sessions can be valuable on a case-by-case basis, they often tackle the symptoms rather...
Celebrating 25 Years of Dedication
Bridget Laird’s Remarkable Journey with Wings for Kids
For the past 25 years, one remarkable individual has been at the heart of our mission, steering us toward greater heights of impact and influence. Today, we proudly celebrate the incredible journey of our CEO, Bridget Laird, whose dedication and visionary leadership have been instrumental in...
Are You an Influencer? Be One!
Picture this: you’re working a job that actually makes a difference. You’re part of a team that is all about helping kids develop social emotional skills. You’re boosting your own skill set because you’re helping teach SEL everyday by modeling positive behaviors and practicing with kids. Each day...
Family Events, Field Trips, and More
Building Connections Beyond Program Time Including families, teachers, and field trips brings communities together Yes, WINGS intentionally teaches young adults and elementary students life skills over the course of a school year. But beyond that, WINGS staff members are focused - obsessed...
The Magic of Book Clubs For Building SEL Skills
A book club addresses two objectives with a single action: it ignites a love for reading and creates a safe and inclusive space for students to connect, share their thoughts and feelings, and develop healthy relationships with both peers and adults. Starting and running a book club may seem...
Interview with an Illustrator: Kayla Victor
Having our book, I Soar with Wings , published is an achievement we’ve been celebrating all year. But it wasn’t always rainbows and butterflies! It took many hearts, hands, and minds to make it great. From the get-go, we had a few non-negotiables when it came to crafting what we knew would be a...
Supporting Mental Health with Social Emotional Learning
Strategies to Help Educators and Youth Workers Support Kids Struggling With Emotional Wellness Guiding students through the emotional weight of the past three years has been no easy feat. Kids in today’s troubling world are facing increasing stressors and challenges, giving rise to the growing...
Building Skills This Summer
Helpful Tips for SEL Skill Building During Summer Months As a parent or caregiver, you want your child to have a fun and memorable summer break. Did you know you can also use these fun and memorable moments as opportunities to boost social and emotional skill development? (And, we’ll help you do...
WINGS got BOOSTed!
The WINGS Team was "Feeling Lucky" at BOOST Conference 2023! Our team recently had the pleasure of attending the BOOST Conference 2023 in sunny Palm Springs, California. BOOST stands for Best Out-of-School Time Conference, so attending, speaking, and exhibiting here was right up our alley. And...
More Books, More Skills: How Businesses are Making a Difference in the Lowcountry
Monetary donations are not the only way to give back to communities, as three regional businesses recently showed. A New Earth Project, Ingevity, and SouthState Bank are helping us stretch our “WINGS” even further by donating a total of 400 new children's books to students in the Lowcountry....
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Ready, Set, Launch!
Wings for Kids Releases New Book: I Soar with Wings Social emotional learning (SEL) is an essential aspect of a child's development. It plays a critical role to shape their future. SEL is the process through which children develop the skills they need to understand and manage their emotions...
Congressman Clyburn Visits Harbison West Elementary
Showing Off Our 'Heart Smarts' at Harbison West Elementary It was a Valentine’s Day to remember at Harbison West Elementary when a very special guest made a visit to WINGS. Congressman Clyburn visits students at Harbison West Elementary School A Special Visitor Arrives Kids at Harbison West...
How Words to Live By Came to Life
The Words Brought To Life What started as a scribbled poem on a notepad in Wadmalaw Island, SC has grown into a pledge used across the United States, guiding kids and adults to become the best version of themselves. We call this pledge our Words to Live By. And since 2007 we have been shouting...
WINGS Partners With The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta
Collaborating with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta For over 25 years, the mission at Wings for Kids has been to equip kids with the skills they need to succeed in school, stay in school, and thrive in life. With an evidence-based model and approach to building social emotional skills within...
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WINGS in the News
Recently, national news outlets have turned to WINGS for guidance and input on addressing students' social and emotional health. It's clear - we are unified in our concern for the well-being of our kids, post-pandemic. What's also clear is learning how to take on challenges, learn from effort...
A Better Back-to-School with our Beyond the Bookbag Guide
Ten Practical Tips to Prepare Kids for Success in School by Building Their Social Emotional Smarts For many parents - back-to-school hits next week. You might be ready, but how are your kids feeling? We put our SEL (social emotional learning) tips into this free, printable guide to help make back...
Summer Camp in Full Swing
In a variety of places and with an assortment of community partners, WINGS takes on summer! To meet the demands of our students, schools, parents, and partners, WINGS is offering more summer programming than we ever have before - and it feels good! In Atlanta Through our partnership with The YMCA...
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Action
By Tristan Richardson, Former Program Curriculum and Instruction Specialist As an organization that predominantly works with and serves People of Color, it’s imperative we create and maintain culturally relevant programming for our kids and families. We have always worked towards this truth. But...
Looking Ahead, Ready to Soar
By Bridget Laird, Chief Executive Officer The past two years have been exceptional - you feel it, our kids feel it. Struggle, chaos, uncertainty: a new reality that requires our 25 years of experience. The need for life skills - what we call social emotional learning - is at an all-time high. No...
That's a Wrap on 2021-2022!
Highlights and Good News from the 2021-2022 year! From Chief Program Officer Cheryl Hollis With the uncertainty of last year behind us, I am happy to report that all ELEVEN of our programs were in-person and running at full speed this school year! Throughout the southeast, 84 Wings Leaders...
Celebrating New Board Members in 2022
Kerri Chisolm, Rahul Dembla, and Michael Toscano Join the Nonprofit’s Board of Directors Charleston, S.C. – February 23, 2022 – Wings for Kids, an education nonprofit dedicated to social-emotional learning, is thrilled to announce the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors:...
Lessons From Camp In 2020: A Summer To Remember
WINGS and SAY Detroit Play Center: Reflecting On The Summer of 2020 Understanding the impact that missing summer camp would have on the children in Northeast Detroit's community, SAY Play Center at Lipke Park and Wings For Kids joined forces to keep camp in session in 2020. Looking back, we...
Giving Kids the WINGS to Fly
The Center for Success and WINGS: Making an Impact One Child at a Time When program plans were disrupted by the pandemic, WINGS assisted our partners at the Center for Success in Detroit, Michigan, with a plan to keep kids and staff connected to SEL. Read on to find out how! “We appreciated how...
What. A. Year.
Adaptability, Stability, and Success - Reimagined in 20-21 By Jolie Logan, Chief Operating Officer There was no lack of challenge over the past year. We made the commitment at the beginning of the pandemic to do whatever we could to help our kids and their families and to support our staff. We...
SEL Tip: How to Praise A Child
Meet the Expert: Mallory Dorsey Mallory Dorsey, the Program Quality Manager for Wings for Kids, explores three techniques that Wings Leaders—and educators across the country—can use to integrate praise and positive communication into their classrooms. For more from Discovery Education + Wings for...
The Real Feel of Virtual Learning
A Peek Inside Our Virtual 2021 WINGS Program By Kellie Hunter, Program Administrative Assistant at Bethune Elementary, Atlanta, GA Virtual programming is very different from in-person programming, but we made it work because we offered a variety of programs and made participation flexible. We...
The Future Looks Bright
Awesome Opportunities and Victories By Bridget Laird, CEO In my 22 years with WINGS, this one was UNPRECEDENTED . The 20-21 academic year served up new challenges for our kids, families, schools, and the world around us. But, we made it! So as we say “so-long” to this past year, with open arms we...
Edutopia Showcases WINGS In Latest Video Series
How Learning Happens Video Series Edutopia - the brainchild of award-winning filmmaker George Lucas - is a trusted source shining a spotlight on what works in education. Showing people how they can adopt or adapt best practices, Edutopia tells stories of innovation and continuous learning in the...
Revamped SEL Workshops and Trainings for 2020 and Beyond
Empowering Others with Social Emotional Learning Best Practices Built for 2020 and Beyond To meet the needs of today's educators and students, we updated our workshops and trainings with you in mind. Can we help you build your own social emotional skillset, reconnect or reengage with students, or...
Partnership Work Is Popping!
New Partners, Wide Reach During Virtual Learning Last fall, WINGS partnered with Discovery Education - the global leader in standards-based digital content for classrooms worldwide - to help us create a social emotional learning program centered on our evidence-based afterschool curriculum....
WINGS Remix: Fall 2020
Virtual Programming for Schools & Families Like most, we spent the summer reimagining and plotting what the school year would look like and quickly recognized the urgent social emotional needs our schools, classrooms, students, and households are experiencing during this new normal. Through...
How We're Connecting with Kids, Staff and Supporters
We’re six-weeks into our “new normal” and what a rollercoaster of emotions! We’ve been experiencing a full-range of highs, lows, and everything in between. This complicated, uncertain time means that we have to lean hard on social-emotional skills like stress-management, cooperation...
Online Support | Responsible Decision-Making for Kids & Families
Practice skills like identifying problems, taking ownership, solving problems, reflection
As we all settle into new routines - learning from home, working from home (thank you essential workers!), and spending endless hours together in shared spaces - we have a sneaking suspicion you're experiencing a full range of emotions. We are, too! This is normal, healthy, and expected. So, what...
Online Support | Relationship Skills for Kids & Families
Practice skills like communicating clearly, listening, cooperation, resisting negative pressure, resolving conflicts, supporting one another
As we all settle into new routines - learning from home, working from home (thank you essential workers!), and spending endless hours together in shared spaces - we have a sneaking suspicion you're experiencing a full range of emotions. We are, too! This is normal, healthy, and expected. So, what...
Online Support | Self-Management for Kids & Families
Practice skills like impulse control, executive function, stress management, self-discipline
As we all settle into new routines - learning from home, working from home (thank you essential workers!), and spending endless hours together in shared spaces - we have a sneaking suspicion you're experiencing a full range of emotions. We are, too! This is normal, healthy, and expected. So, what...
Online Support | Self-Awareness for Kids & Families
Practice skills like self-perception, self-confidence, self-efficacy
As we all settle into new routines - learning from home, working from home (thank you essential workers!), and spending endless hours together in shared spaces - we have a sneaking suspicion you're experiencing a full range of emotions. We are, too! This is normal, healthy, and expected. So, what...
Online Support | Social Awareness for Kids & Families
Practice skills like empathy, appreciating differences, respect
As we all settle into new routines - learning from home, working from home (thank you essential workers!), and spending endless hours together in shared spaces - we have a sneaking suspicion you're experiencing a full range of emotions. We are, too! This is normal, healthy, and expected. So, what...
Meet New Friends
Take a Virtual Field Trip and Meet Some New Friends!
First: Read the words to the pledge below with a family member or adult. Then: Watch the first few minutes of this virtual field trip. Listen to the pledge and try to do the hand motions with the students in the video. Last: Talk with a friend or family member about some of the questions in the...
Meet Our New Board Members!
Toya Hampton, Arthur Rosen, Kelly Sach, Allie Simmons, Steve Ward
Our Board of Directors are an important part of the WINGS family. Their fearless leadership and guidance help us achieve our goals and their support and work on our behalf has helped us spread our wings and continue to grow! This winter, we welcomed five new members to the WINGS Board of...
Quick Tip: Try Some R&R
A quick tip to help kids reset & relax, practicing their self-management skills
Just like us, kids experience a full range of emotions - and they’re not always positive. To help kids control their reactions and feelings in the face of challenges and surprises, we developed a quick tip to stay calm and keep control. Try some R&R: RESET and determine what is really bothering...
Major! National Education News Site Profiles WINGS
Not Many Afterschool Programs Teach Social-Emotional Learning. Wings for Kids Does, and New Gold Standard Study Finds It's Working for Low-Income Students.
Article originally published on January 13, 2020 The 74 – a highly-regarded news site covering education in America – published a brilliant profile on WINGS. Our favorite published piece to date, this feature dives into our curriculum, community, and proven impact on K-5 students with powerful...
Giving Back: Kids, Wings Leaders Deliver on National Day of Service
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is 'What are you doing for others?'" - Martin Luther King, Jr.
In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., WINGS kids and leaders participated in a day of service on MLK Day. More than 1,000 students and 75 college-aged mentors in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina provided goods and services for their communities. From making cards and gift baskets...
Watch: What Is Social Emotional Learning?
Cheryl Hollis, Director of Programs, Breaks Down SEL "It's needed everywhere and for everyone." Cheryl Hollis, Director of Programs , explains the five core social and emotional competencies defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)—self-awareness...
Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove + Wings for Kids
Collaboration in Action
Nearly three years ago, the early seeds of a partnership were planted when the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America reached out to one of their most cutting-edge sites - Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove (BGCGG) - to gauge interest in a social-emotional learning initiative with Wings for Kids....
Lights On Afterschool 2019
Afterschool deserves to be celebrated! Did you know that after going to afterschool programs: 68% of students improve their homework completion and class participation 60% of students improve their classroom behavior 1 in 2 students improve their math and reading scores* On October 24, 2019 more...
Exploring Atlanta
WINGS Kids Soar Around Atlanta Earlier this month, WINGS took to the city! Through the generosity of donors like you, hundreds of WINGS kids visited the Georgia Aquarium , Fernbank Museum , and the World of Coca-Cola —many for the very first time. We think field trips are one of the best tools we...
Let's Go! Wings Across America Launch Party & Premiere
Discovery Education and Wings for Kids Celebrate Wings Across America Launch On Wednesday, September 11th, 2019 we gathered supporters and friends together to premiere the special virtual visit to WINGS - an educational video produced in partnership with Discovery Education - at The American...
Major Funding News
NoVo Foundation and SCE pledge multi-year investments We're excited to announce two new grants from the NoVo Foundation and SCE. The funding will support reaching more students, teachers, and youth-serving organizations with evidence-based social emotional resources, trainings, and materials....
Meet Gigi: WINGS Grandmother
The majority of WINGS kids come from single-parent homes and the single caregiver is often an older sibling or grandparent. This is the situation for two current WINGS kids who are being raised by their grandmother, or Gigi as they call her. Every day, Gigi takes the bus to WINGS to pick up her...
Oh, The Places We've Trained
Coast-to-Coast 2018-19 trainings and workshops From Texas to Detroit, California to Pennsylvania - Our SEL trainers spread their wings across America. With workshops like Developing a Socially Emotionally Positive Learning Environment to Introduction to Positive Behavior Management Strategies we...
Another Successful #SELinAfterschool Day!
Leading Education and Out-of-School Time Organizations Participate in Second Annual SEL in Afterschool Day May 14, 2019 We are so proud to convene the second annual SEL in Afterschool Day -- a day that serves as a touchpoint for thought leaders in the space to amplify their collective voice in...
12 Prompts for Social Emotional Summer Learning
Conversation starters can be used with any game or activty to build skills
Weave SEL into Playing Games and Summer Reading Summer is almost here - cue panic and excitement. For many kids, summer represents playing outside, staying up late, camps, vacations, and an overall less-structured day. For parents, caregivers, and camp or program staff, building in social...
Community: Fire & Ice Prom
Connecting Parents, Families, and Kids
We love bringing our parents into the WINGS program – especially when we can all dance, pose, and celebrate together. Twice a year each afterschool program hosts parent events with various themes based on the school or programs’ interests. Last month, WINGS hosted families and kids for a Fire &...
Did You Know?
Recent Data Points from Our Direct Service Programs
Measuring our efforts against our outcomes is just one of the ways we deliver impact as an organization. Below are select data points from 2018 that highlight the varied ways we track how social emotional skills impact a child - in the classroom, at home, and in WINGS.
Gratitude Network Names CEO 2019 Fellow
Bridget Laird named to 2019 Gratitude Network Fellowship
Social Entrepreneurship🔹Leadership Development🔹Global Learning Opportunities The Gratitude Network - a leadership development organization - identifies "game-changing" social enterprises around the world who are improving the lives of underprivileged and under-served children and accelerates the...
Giving A Boost To Our Upcoming Middle School Students
MLK Day Project Showcases Creativity and Kindness
Volunteering Not Only Feels Good, WINGS Leaders Prove it Looks Good Too You've seen stories like this before, where teachers or parents paint reaffirming messages in the bathroom stalls of middle or high schools in an effort to boost confidences and morale. What makes this project different and...
On the Horizon: Where to Find Us
Workshops, Conferences, and a Keynote, Spring 2019
As you prepare for spring conferences and professional development travel, add us to your list of "must-sees." Keynote Illinois Afterschool Network Spring Conference : April 27, 2019 Embracing the Future: A Focus on Children, Youth, and Families in all Sectors of Afterschool and Youth-Development...
Major National SEL Report Released
From a Nation at Risk to a Nation at Hope: Recommendations from the National Commission on Social, Emotional, & Academic Development
The Aspen Institute National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development released a major national report yesterday, From a Nation at Risk to a Nation at Hope , calling on all sectors of society to hasten efforts to ensure that ALL students have access to quality social and...
Partner Spotlight: Center for Schools and Communities
Spreading SEL Together Through Professional Development and Technical Assistance
New this fall, WINGS has partnered with The Center for Schools and Communities to provide on-going professional development and technical assistance opportunities for the education agencies, community-based organizations, and state and local departments they serve. The Center's mission is to help...
Published!
WINGS Pens “Social and Emotional Learning in Elementary School” Chapter in Social and Emotional Learning in Out-of-School Time: Foundations and Futures
Last year, WINGS was asked to contribute to an upcoming volume in Current Issues in Out-of-School Time as an expert on social emotional learning for elementary-aged students. Published last month, we're thrilled to celebrate our role in Social and Emotional Learning in Out-of-School Time:...
Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Jackson
16-year-old Jackson Averill writes Finding WINGS for final high school thesis
Finding WINGS WRITTEN BY: JACKSON AVERILL, 16 YEARS OLD We are so honored and moved by Jackson’s words, we just had to share them with you. Keep soaring, Jackson! As a child growing up in a privileged community, my sense of the scope of the world was somewhat limited. Until my mother started...
A Must-Read: Wildflowers by Jonathan Raymond
Wildflowers: A School Superintendent's Challenge to America
I've long advocated for social emotional learning (SEL) to be revered as critical to a child's education and development. Over the last few years, I've rallied the growing momentum of support for social and emotional learning. And, just last week, I dove head-first into Wildflowers by Jonathan...
3 Ways to Help Educators Develop Social Emotional Skills
Social Emotional Learning Begins with Adults
Originally posted in Getting Smart By: Jessica Lovins We are not born with social-emotional skills. They are formed in childhood, cultivated throughout our lives, and can continue to grow and evolve. Therefore, in order for children to learn and witness social-emotional learning (SEL), it must...
Meet Our 2018 Kindred Kids: Pen Pals on a Mission
Charleston Students Celebrate Diversity, Meet with Pen Pals at Kindred Kids Gathering on May 16
KIDS GET TO KNOW NEW FRIENDS, BUILD BRIDGES DESPITE DIFFERENCES Charleston, S.C. – Kindred Kids , a pen pal program that promotes friendship and understanding among kids from diverse backgrounds in Charleston, will host a spring gathering on Wednesday, May 16 at Mason Prep. Participating students...
Wakanda Forever!
A Themed-Family Event Brings Everyone Together
A Night to Remember Our parents and guardians are so important to us. Twice a year, each afterschool program hosts parent events with various themes based on the school or program's likes and interests. Last month, WINGS at Burns Elementary School hosted prom - and not just any prom - a Black...
She Has Wings: Desi Linden
Boston Marathon Winner Deserves Sportsmanship MVP
Last month, Desi Linden became the first U.S. woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years. While INCREDIBLE, it was her sportsmanship that earned her both a victory and MVP status. When fellow U.S. runner Shalane Flanagan pulled off course for a pit stop, Desi slowed down, waited, and helped her...
3 Things Everyone Should Know About SEL in Afterschool
Why Afterschool and Social Emotional Learning Equal Magic
This post was originally published for the National Afterschool Association's Professional Development blog on April 10, 2018 By: Bridget Laird We know that afterschool and out-of-school time programming have a significant impact on kids. Take a look at any of the numerous reports or research...
WINGS Watch: Jay-Z on “The Most Beautiful Thing”
Hear Jay-Z Describe the Power of Social Emotional Learning to David Letterman
When hip-hop superstar Jay-Z sat down with David Letterman this month, he talked about growing up in a household that didn’t have the emotional vocabulary to express sadness, confusion, joy, and pain. When asked about his children’s upbringing versus his own, he shares a beautiful example of how...
Drop the ‘After,’ ‘Expanded’ or ‘Extended.’ We’re Educators.
Wings for Kids' Chief Advancement Officer Writes Op-Ed for National Afterschool Association
Originally posted by the National Afterschool Association's Executive Extra April 16, 2018 By: Julia Rugg When I first started at WINGS eight years ago, I spent the first few months at each of our afterschool programs in Charleston, South Carolina. I shadowed our part-time staff (college...
SEL in Afterschool Day
Leading Education and Out-of-School Time Organizations Launch Inaugural SEL in Afterschool Day
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 We think our community has something to celebrate! To build awareness of the important intersection of social emotional learning (SEL) and afterschool, we created a milestone day that highlights the positive impact of SEL in afterschool programming. We see SEL in...
Meet Sh’Kur Francis
WINGS Alum and Future Mayor of Charleston
Sh'Kur calls WINGS for Kids a "life-changing" experience because it introduced him to college role models. We call Sh'Kur inspiring, hard-working, and kind - among many other things. Take two minutes to hear why Sh'Kur has our vote.
A Principal’s Perspective on WINGS
Lynn Owings, School Principal and WINGS Cheerleader, “When our children first walked into school, no one was smiling, heads were down. They go through a lot of traumatic experiences on a daily basis. WINGS gave them a safe place to feel loved.” Watch Principal Owings dive into why she really...
DIY: 3 Steps to Find Focus
Need to get your groove back? Use our 3 steps and real-life examples to help you feel settled.
Getting back into a groove takes time - and focus. Our social emotional learning coaches provide three steps and real-life examples to help you feel settled. Being able to remain in control and focused when life gets shaken up is a critical skill that not only helps you stay calm but can also...
Community Spotlight: Coastal Lacrosse
Partners In Opportunity
Opening The Doors To Experience Lacrosse in the Lowcountry WINGS Afterschool utilizes experts in our communities to lead Enrichment Time twice a week. For many of our students, we're exposing them to activities they would not otherwise experience. Like lacrosse, a sport historically reserved for...
I've Been Ready to Give Up Countless Times
One WINGS Leader's Story of Perseverance
Staff Story: Caty, 2018 "People often ask me how I do this job [WINGS Leader]. I feel as if that's the wrong question to ask. W hen I th ink back on my life so far, I cannot remember a time when I've felt happier or more fulfilled than with WINGS. It's hard to list the many reasons why I decided...
When WINGS Leaders Fly High, So Do Children
Unlocking School Success with Strong Leadership
Building Skills and Driving Connectedness When children feel more connected to school, they’re more likely to attend, work hard, do well, and remain in school. For children at high risk of school failure, school connectedness can be the difference between getting along with others and repeated...
WINGS Receives Support From Ballmer Group and W.K. Kellogg Foundation to Elevate SEL
Wings for Kids Receives Support from Ballmer Group and W.K. Kellogg Foundation to Elevate Social Emotional Learning
Charleston, S.C. – February 1, 2018 – Wings for Kids, a leader and expert in social emotional learning (SEL) in the afterschool space, announced today two new grants from Ballmer Group and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The funding will support the organization’s innovative training models and...
How WINGS Got Its Name
In 1995, WINGS founder Ginny Deerin attended a women’s leadership conference and heard the spellbinding Johnetta Cole, then president of Atlanta’s Spelman College, give the keynote address where she spoke about how girls and women often keep themselves locked up in small birdcages. Cole urged the...
Words to Live By
‘Words to Live By’ is our mantra, the epitome of our culture, and the foundation of everything we teach
At the heart of everything we think, say, and do are these seven stanzas. Simply, they are our pledge. Soaring isn’t just for kids. The adults who serve as mentors and leaders use our Words to Live By to guide lessons and interactions – a compass to navigate all aspects of life. I soar with...
Analysis: 5 Ways Adults Can Develop Children With Strong Social and Emotional Skills
By: Bridget Laird, WINGS CEO Published by The 74. Read full commentary here > I’m a math teacher, not a counselor. I’m here to teach math,” one teacher recently told a principal I was working with in an afterschool program. The principal recounted this story while reflecting on an effort to...
SEL Gathering at The Aspen Institute
Research and Social Emotional Learning in Afterschool Convene
On September 27, 2017, thought leaders, policymakers, and youth development advocates gathered at The Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C. Hosted by WINGS for Kids , attendees participated in an engaging dialogue about SEL in afterschool, research themes and lessons learned, and discussed how...
Partner Profile: Pomona Unified School District
Originally published by Globe Newswire. Read the full story here > Expansion is First District-Wide Adoption of Social Emotional Learning Afterschool Model in State; Component of Award-Winning District Afterschool Program Pomona, Calif., Aug. 01, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomona Unified School...
Do After-School Programs Positively Change Children?
Proponents of President Trump’s budget say no. Their evidence may be faulty.
Published by The Atlantic After-school programs are on the chopping block in the Trump administration’s proposed budget, an issue a reporter drew attention to at a recent press conference with the director of the Office of Management and Budget, Mick Mulvaney. In response to a question about the...
Trump Budget Would Clip ‘WINGS’ of After-School Program for S.C. Kids
The Post and Courier profiles Wings for Kids amid budget-cut backlash
Published in The Post and Courier BY: STEVE BAILEY Mexico is not going to pay for Donald Trump’s wall, so Treio Breland may have to instead. He is 10 years old. Treio and his pal Cincere Flynt are fourth graders at North Charleston Elementary, and they are in the same “nest” together at WINGS for...
Federal Budget: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver provides a humorous perspective on why the proposed budget cuts would leave many lost
From HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver >
Trump Proposes Eliminating After-School Programs
CNN’s Anderson Cooper profiled WINGS and how eliminating our programs would affect working parents
From CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 > President Trump's first proposed budget would cut after-school programs for about two million children. CNN's Gary Tuchman reports.
Trump budget casualty: After-school programs for 1.6 million kids. Most are poor.
Wings for Kids featured in The Washington Post
Every weekday, 700 children from some of the poorest parts of the Atlanta area stay after school for three hours with Wings for Kids, a program that aims to bolster not only academic performance but also social skills, relationships with caring adults and a sense of belonging at school. The kids...