Kids on Course

Zach Johnson Foundation - Kids On Course University

The DeWolf family has been donors to the Zach Johnson Foundation/Kids On Course for several years. Their significant, generous contributions have supported Kids on Course University as well as our year-round academic year program, Kids on Course.

We are grateful for their willingness to commit to multi-year gifts, which illustrates their understanding that measurable impact to complex problems does not happen overnight. In addition, from a non-profit perspective, multi-year gifts allow staff to focus on program development, improvement, and results.

Kids on Course University

Chris and Suzy DeWolf joined a small group of entrepreneurial philanthropists in early 2016 who came together to fund the expansion of a transformational project in Cedar Rapids – Kids on Course University.

Kids on Course University is a free, six-week summer program, aimed at addressing the learning loss that students often experience during the summer months. Research tells us that 2/3 of the academic achievement gap can be attributed to the ‘summer slide.’ The overwhelming majority of the 600 students participating in Kids on Course University live at or near poverty and more than half are kids of color. The program not only provides intensive academic instruction but provides students with two meals a day and an opportunity to experience fun and enriching activities.

Most recent impact data from KCU:

• 74% of students increased reading scores
• 78% of students increased math scores
• 67% of students increased writing scores

While academic measures are important, Kids on Course University offers students a safe place to be during the summer, particularly those from working class families who may spend much of their time home alone.

During the summer of 2020, Kids on Course University could not be held as planned. Instead, the program quickly pivoted to focus on food insecurity, which was a critical need for the Cedar Rapids community during the pandemic. More than 246,000 meals were served to children during the summer months. In addition, more than 10,000 books were distributed to children and 4000 activity packets were shared with families.

KIDS ON COURSE ACADEMIC YEAR PROGRAM, CEDAR RIVER ACADEMY – TAYLOR ELEMENTARY AND HOOVER ELEMENTARY

During the 2020-21 school year, the DeWolf Family provided funding for 33 students at Cedar River Academy at Taylor and Hoover Elementary. In addition to tutoring and enrichment, the donation funded hot spots for families that were necessary for learning when the Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) went completely remote in November of 2020.

The gift was also used to fund translation services and language assistance, a critical need during the pandemic and in the aftermath of the derecho. We were able to connect both Hispanic and African families to the community resources that they desperately needed, such as food, temporary housing, and FEMA assistance.

ACADEMIC RESULTS FROM HOOVER AND CEDAR RIVER ACADEMY AT TAYLOR

	KOC STUDENTS
Reading proficiency – Fall 2020	24%
Reading proficiency – Winter 2021	25% *
Math proficiency – Fall 2020	18%
Math proficiency – Winter 2021	48%

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