Wilson Youth United- The SPOT

Goal 1: Academic Success, 100% grade advancement rate


Goal 2: Health/Fitness, Shifting BMI toward a normal/healthy range


Goal 3: Nutrition, Ending Childhood Hunger in Wilson, NC

Goal 1: Academic Success, 100% grade advancement rate
A leading, long-term solution to poverty is academic success and achievement. Completion of higher education allows for higher wages and benefits local economy. Therefore, the SPOT emphasizes academic success through a unique after school program that promotes non-traditional learning styles for students who struggle in the classroom. The SPOT is proud to say we currently hold a 99% grade advancement rate for students attending regularly (3 or more days per week).

Goal 2: Health/Fitness, Healthy shift in BMI
The SPOT promotes physical well-being as much as academic success. Physically healthy children become physically healthy adults. Healthy habits in youth reduce healthcare costs in the future by reducing incidents of preventable diseases like type 2 diabetes. The SPOT's "get up and move" exercise programs promote cardio exercise through dance, music, games, sports, etc. All non-traditional, kid friendly forms of exercise students enjoy. Our goal is to shift students BMI toward the healthy range. This is measured and recorded confidentially.

Goal 3: Nutrition, Ending Childhood Hunger in Wilson, NC
The SPOT provides free meals Monday-Friday out of school time accessible for all youth in Wilson, NC regardless of their membership with The SPOT. Hungry kids are unable to focus in school and do not have the nutrition needed to be active and exercising. Because of this, nutrition is considered a vital part of all programs at The SPOT.

Goal 1: Academic Success, 100% grade advancement rate
The SPOT houses 11 classrooms with updated technology to fit the needs of the 21st century learning environment. Our teachers are highly qualified and receive annual training. Class sizes do not exceed 16:1 student to teacher ratio allowing for more personal interactions tailored to the individual. Educational classes are conducted using Activity Based Learning (ABL) that is specifically designed for the non-traditional learner. Educational activities are hands-on, dynamic, and diverse to present core subjects like math and reading in a memorable and exciting way. This approach is highly successful has led to a 99% grade advancement rate.


Goal 2: Health/Fitness, Healthy shift in BMI
Exercise is incorporated in student schedules daily to promote healthy habits. Like educational activities, our exercise activities are also creative, non-traditional, and diverse. The SPOT campus holds an indoor gym, walking trail, outdoor basketball court, covered pavillion, and sits on 3 acres of land allowing for many activity spaces. We also provide programs in the summer like kayaking, biking, and swim lessons, snorkeling, and scuba diving that promote exercise through unique experiences. Students who attend The SPOT for more than one year, on average, show a healthy shift in BMI.


Goal 3: Nutrition, Ending Childhood Hunger in Wilson, NC
Ending child hunger is a monumental task, but the community as a whole is taking strides in the right direction. The SPOT has a full service commercial kitchen and serves hundreds of meals every week day with fluctuation in the summer when we serve our summer camp as well as multiple other churches and organizations.

Goal 1: Academic Success, 100% grade advancement rate
Currently, 99% of students who attend the SPOT regularly (3 or more days per week) advance to the next grade. We are using the data collected from previous years as well as expanding the use of Activity Based Learning to complete the final 1%. Student success is also heavily tied to support systems in school, in after school, and at home. With this in mind, The SPOT is expanding parent engagement giving parents the resources they need to support their students like positive reinforcement and technology training.

Goal 2: Health/Fitness, Shifting BMI toward a normal/healthy range
Currently, students who attend The SPOT for more than a year show a healthy shift in BMI. We plan to utilize this data further to increase the effectiveness of the program by identifying high need classes.

Goal 3: Nutrition, Ending Childhood Hunger in Wilson, NC
Child hunger in Wilson, NC has decreased from 1 in 4 to 1 in 6 children considered food insecure. At the SPOT, no children are food insecure because of the programs we offer including week day meals and weekend food assistance. The weekend food assistance program will be increased through an online application and well as the ability to apply by phone to increase privacy to ensure all students and families in need are receiving assistance. The SPOT will continue to serve meals and hopes to expand this program even further through a mobile food service program.