TAP provides an innovative, year-round, after and out-of-school time alternative education engagement model.
The County of Los Angeles has more than 21,000 youth in the foster care system. Los Angeles COUNTY has more foster youth than the STATE with the 2nd highest population, NY at 26,000 foster youth.
50% of foster youth will be homeless, incarcerated, and/or institutionalized upon leaving the foster care system.
Because they are changing placements so often, Foster youth can attend anywhere from 7-20 schools while in care.
The Academy Project (TAP) was born from the principle that keeping school as a point of stability can significantly help foster children succeed educationally while providing the opportunity to form strong relationships with peers and caring adults.
Engagement begins prior to the start of the school year with CAMP XAVIER, our 1 week summer day camp that culminates in a week-long sleep-away program partnered with UCLA Unicamp.
The Co-Op after school program meets every day and provides food, tutoring, and enrichment such as music appreciation and learning to play an instrument, and reading remediation partnered with a mentoring program.