Wings For Kids Inc

Wings For Kids Inc. is a non-profit organization focused on providing social and emotional learning (SEL) to children, primarily from low-income backgrounds, through after-school programs. Founded in 1996 by Ginny Deerin, a civic leader in Charleston, South Carolina, the organization was born from her realization that academic success requires more than just intellectual ability. Deerin's journey began after attending a leadership conference in 1995 that inspired her to help children learn skills like empathy and communication early in life. This vision was solidified after reading about Daniel Goleman's book on Emotional Intelligence, which provided a framework for the skills she aimed to teach.

The organization launched its first program as a one-week summer camp for girls and, by 2000, transitioned into a co-ed after-school program at Memminger Elementary School in Charleston. This pivot marked the beginning of its core operational model: a five-day-a-week, three-hour-per-day program embedded in Title I elementary schools. The curriculum is designed to develop five core SEL competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The effectiveness of the program is supported by a Randomized Control Trial, which found that students attending for two years showed significant gains in executive function and vocabulary.

Wings For Kids operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, generating revenue primarily through contributions and grants from foundations and government entities. Major funders have included the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, the Richard King Mellon Foundation, and various state departments of education. The organization's financial model is designed to keep overhead low, maximizing the funds that go directly to its programs. Beyond direct service, Wings For Kids has expanded its impact by providing professional development, workshops, and resources to educators and other youth-serving organizations, partnering with entities like Discovery Education and the Boys & Girls Clubs. This strategy allows them to scale their SEL methodologies more broadly than by only opening new direct-service sites.

Keywords: social emotional learning, after-school programs, youth development, non-profit, at-risk youth, education, child well-being, character education, emotional intelligence, SEL curriculum, Title I schools, Charleston, positive youth development, K-5 education, educational equity, skill-building, student support, Ginny Deerin, community-based organization, youth empowerment