EXECUTIVE SUMMARYEXECUTIVE SUMMARYIn brief, the education of children shapes their own personal development and life choices, as well as the economic and social progress of our Nation.

At KLD, our approach to this epidemic is prevention programs focused on the complex issues facing at-risk youth while building on their strengths and capabilities. Within the next few pages, we will share with you who we are, where we have come from and where we believe we must be to impact this generation …right here... right now.

We offer the youth we serve 24/7 services, which continue to stretch our boundaries. To succeed they need to acquire adequate attitudes, behaviors and skills. We must find the right tools to maximize our efforts.

As you review this document I hope that you see our vision and are inspired to help make this generation one of purpose and leadership.

The promise of our nation truly rests in our youngest generation. The skills they develop, the habits they form, and the communities they build will determine the future of the nation and our progress. From our neighborhoods, to our Nation’s Capital, we are a people depending on the ingenuity and skills of our people to contribute to its greatness.

With these thoughts in mind, to educate and empower our youth should become our nation’s most important mission. For the KLD Youth Foun-dation, that IS our mission. We take the course we set to fill the gap for a generation at-risk seriously. This generation is more at-risk than most may think.

Over the past few years, countless reports have brought to light the reality of that very risk and how it can impact our country. One such report is The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts. It highlights the facts that nearly one-third of all public high school students – and nearly 50 percent of minorities – fail to graduate with their class. The impact of this devastating report is staggering and costly. If, for instance, those students in Florida alone, who did not graduate in 2007 actually graduated our state would experience an estimated increase of over $26 Billion over their lifetime. The dropout count in Florida for 2008 was 100,000 students!

In addition, the America’s Civic Health Index measured 40 indicators of the Nation’s civic health over the past 30 years. The most dramatic divides in civic health related to levels of educa-tion. The less educated, the less civic involvement in every civic category, from volunteering and work on community projects to attending meet-ings and voting. For the most part, high school dropouts are no longer even a part of the civil society…the very thing that would enable them to be effective advocates for them.

Mrs Shaffer,Thanks for allyou do here atKLD. It really has made a difference inmy life!

Jordan

Janet ShafferCEO, KLD YouthFoundation

337 miles to Tallahasee

Sen. Haridopolos & the KLD Klds

Standing proud at the Senate

Leaving Brevard

Walking to the CapitalWalking to the Capital was meant to provide a real life backdrop for this project-based civics study — a historical authentic laboratory that could empower our students lives forever. What they got was so much more than any of us could have imagined.

Our goal was to present the data from the past as a tool to understand how societies function. Knowing the past causes the present and so the future. History truly can provide a real and relevant grasp of how our government and their world works. Ultimately helping our students empower their own lives.

We could only hope that this study would inspire leaders of tomorrow by looking at leaders of yesterday and today. Studying the historic relevance of our state and our government through project-based curriculum. With such an intense project-based study of history, we exposed our students to the complexities of human nature and the development of diverse human cultures, values, institutions, and major events. More than that, they become part of history, part of their community and part of their future…. an active part…. and for that their lives are forever changed.

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

Calling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis

Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school. Every day, seven thousand students walk out on their education. One-third of all students fail to graduate high school. Most low-income students who start college never finish.America’s education crisis has left many young people, especially minorities and those from lower-income families, without the skills and knowledge required for a meaningful career in the 21st century. Of those who do graduate high school, half lack the skills to successfully complete community college. Most drop out of post secondary education before receiving a certificate or diploma. In the face of increasing global economic concerns, our failure to ensure all Americans have access to a great education is a threat to long-term American competitiveness and prosperity.

With the why clearly defined, KLD addresses the how by providing kids that don’t fit the stan-dard mold – individualized tools that fit their story and their need. To make sure that each of them graduates with the confidence that they CAN have a productive future. After all, everyone has a story – we just want to give him or her a new script.

Low Graduation Rates for Students

With Learning Disabilities

According to data reported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office

of Special Education Programs (OSEP), graduation rates for students with disabili-

ties are just over 32%. Another 11% no longer identified as needing special educa-

tion services, which means that they became fully mainstreamed students without an

Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Even if all of those students who were no longer listed as having a disability earned regular diplomas, that would still mean that only 43% of students identified as in need of special services earn a high school diploma. Six states (Georgia, Missis-sippi, Nevada, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida) graduate under 25% of students with special needs. Yet, despite these deeply alarming figures, there is little to no publicly reported data on graduation rates for this subgroup at the district level.

Sources: Education Week, Quality Counts 2004 Citing US. Department of Education Office for Special Education Programs.

THE WHYTHE WHYCalling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis 7years of

service to Brevard

KLD has served over 13,000 in out-of-school programs

We see 160 students weekly

You should know39% of Brevard County’s youth are at-risk

In 2008 100,000 students dropped out of Florida High Schools

That lifetimeloss of income $26,041,125,500

The value of KLD’s mission to Brevard

County...

PRICELESS

KLD TODAYKLD TODAY The FactsThe FactsThe education of children shapes their personal development and life choices as well as the economic and social progress of our nation.The KLD Youth Foundation was founded in 2002, conceived from a vision to effectively educate and empower at-risk youth through positive prevention programs. The foundation’s founder, Kevin Deaton, was merely 20 years old when he felt compelled to help young people struggling with destructive behavior.

As a former foster child who felt no sense of guidance until the age of 15 when his foster family provided him with security, love and a Christian faith, Kevin understands the unique needs of neglected youth. As a result, he has made it the foundation’s mission to “fill the gaps” in the lives of at-risk youth, providing these individuals with the confidence and tools to live productively.

Striving to positively impact today’s troubled youth by addressing complex issues while building individual strengths and capabilities, the foundation provides an environment that fosters personal growth. KLD offers both out-of-school programs and educational opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are slipping through the cracks of our public school systems.

While many youth’s lives have been uplifted by KLD’s services, the foundation aims to continually develop and expand its offerings. Moving forward, KLD hopes to build a central campus that will provide innovative specialized education, career and lifestyle training, as well as a complete array of out-of-school activities, including community service outreach programs.

The realization of such a sprawling campus will support KLD’s mission to educate and empower young people. Affirming the foundation’s desire to create a safe and friendly environment that will build a sense of family and enrich the quality and potential of the lives of all who participate.

KLD FUTUREKLD FUTURE

Proposed Facilities andPrograms.KLD has come a long way, but our vision is to go much further in serving our at-risk students, as well as other youth and families throughout Brevard County. Our goal is to acquire property where we can develop a central campus, a school, dormitory, adminis-trative building and indoor and outdoor activ-ity facilities. This campus will provide innova-tive specialized education; career and lifestyle training; and a complete array of out-of-school activities (including community-service outreach projects).

We stand in-line with these life affirming preventive principles; to provide open space systems, create a safe friendly environment, maximize opportunities for physical activity, emphasize social networks and build a sense of family legacy to enrich the quality of life for all who participate.

Our visionfor the future:

Learning Center (classrooms for grades K-12/vocational

training/technology center)

Social Center (including learning lab, computer center, food court, internet

café, arcade/video game room, Christian retail store, and radio/TV studio)

Career Resource Center

Cafeteria and Culinary Training Center

Auditorium and Community Special Event Center

Gymnasium/Fitness Center

Sports and Recreation Areas to include Aquatic Center and Out-of-School CampsDaycare Center

Space for like service organizations and public/private partnerships

Provide dormitory living space forfull-time students

Provide daily out-of-school activitiesand family support

Provide vehicles to support theservices offered

• Brevard Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition• Wal-Mart• Universal Assoc• Stroupe Family• Eckerd Foundation• Bright House Network• Parrish Medical Center

• Brevard Community College• Christopher Burton Homes• Dr. James Elmer• Dr. Larry Nissen• Dr. Sara Switzer• Space Cost Marketing Group• Roger Boatman• Indian River Press• Learning RX• Ocean Partners• Rhonda Hinds, CPA• YMCA Titusville

PARTNERSPARTNERS

DONORSDONORS

KLD Youth Foundation85 Richland Avenue

Merritt Island, Florida 32953

321-454-7333www.kldkids.orginfo@kldkids.org

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYEXECUTIVE SUMMARYIn brief, the education of children shapes their own personal development and life choices, as well as the economic and social progress of our Nation.

At KLD, our approach to this epidemic is prevention programs focused on the complex issues facing at-risk youth while building on their strengths and capabilities. Within the next few pages, we will share with you who we are, where we have come from and where we believe we must be to impact this generation …right here... right now.

We offer the youth we serve 24/7 services, which continue to stretch our boundaries. To succeed they need to acquire adequate attitudes, behaviors and skills. We must find the right tools to maximize our efforts.

As you review this document I hope that you see our vision and are inspired to help make this generation one of purpose and leadership.

The promise of our nation truly rests in our youngest generation. The skills they develop, the habits they form, and the communities they build will determine the future of the nation and our progress. From our neighborhoods, to our Nation’s Capital, we are a people depending on the ingenuity and skills of our people to contribute to its greatness.

With these thoughts in mind, to educate and empower our youth should become our nation’s most important mission. For the KLD Youth Foun-dation, that IS our mission. We take the course we set to fill the gap for a generation at-risk seriously. This generation is more at-risk than most may think.

Over the past few years, countless reports have brought to light the reality of that very risk and how it can impact our country. One such report is The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts. It highlights the facts that nearly one-third of all public high school students – and nearly 50 percent of minorities – fail to graduate with their class. The impact of this devastating report is staggering and costly. If, for instance, those students in Florida alone, who did not graduate in 2007 actually graduated our state would experience an estimated increase of over $26 Billion over their lifetime. The dropout count in Florida for 2008 was 100,000 students!

In addition, the America’s Civic Health Index measured 40 indicators of the Nation’s civic health over the past 30 years. The most dramatic divides in civic health related to levels of educa-tion. The less educated, the less civic involvement in every civic category, from volunteering and work on community projects to attending meet-ings and voting. For the most part, high school dropouts are no longer even a part of the civil society…the very thing that would enable them to be effective advocates for them.

Mrs Shaffer,Thanks for allyou do here atKLD. It really has made a difference inmy life!

Jordan

Janet ShafferCEO, KLD YouthFoundation

337 miles to Tallahasee

Sen. Haridopolos & the KLD Klds

Standing proud at the Senate

Leaving Brevard

Walking to the CapitalWalking to the Capital was meant to provide a real life backdrop for this project-based civics study — a historical authentic laboratory that could empower our students lives forever. What they got was so much more than any of us could have imagined.

Our goal was to present the data from the past as a tool to understand how societies function. Knowing the past causes the present and so the future. History truly can provide a real and relevant grasp of how our government and their world works. Ultimately helping our students empower their own lives.

We could only hope that this study would inspire leaders of tomorrow by looking at leaders of yesterday and today. Studying the historic relevance of our state and our government through project-based curriculum. With such an intense project-based study of history, we exposed our students to the complexities of human nature and the development of diverse human cultures, values, institutions, and major events. More than that, they become part of history, part of their community and part of their future…. an active part…. and for that their lives are forever changed.

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

Calling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis

Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school. Every day, seven thousand students walk out on their education. One-third of all students fail to graduate high school. Most low-income students who start college never finish.America’s education crisis has left many young people, especially minorities and those from lower-income families, without the skills and knowledge required for a meaningful career in the 21st century. Of those who do graduate high school, half lack the skills to successfully complete community college. Most drop out of post secondary education before receiving a certificate or diploma. In the face of increasing global economic concerns, our failure to ensure all Americans have access to a great education is a threat to long-term American competitiveness and prosperity.

With the why clearly defined, KLD addresses the how by providing kids that don’t fit the stan-dard mold – individualized tools that fit their story and their need. To make sure that each of them graduates with the confidence that they CAN have a productive future. After all, everyone has a story – we just want to give him or her a new script.

Low Graduation Rates for Students

With Learning Disabilities

According to data reported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office

of Special Education Programs (OSEP), graduation rates for students with disabili-

ties are just over 32%. Another 11% no longer identified as needing special educa-

tion services, which means that they became fully mainstreamed students without an

Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Even if all of those students who were no longer listed as having a disability earned regular diplomas, that would still mean that only 43% of students identified as in need of special services earn a high school diploma. Six states (Georgia, Missis-sippi, Nevada, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida) graduate under 25% of students with special needs. Yet, despite these deeply alarming figures, there is little to no publicly reported data on graduation rates for this subgroup at the district level.

Sources: Education Week, Quality Counts 2004 Citing US. Department of Education Office for Special Education Programs.

THE WHYTHE WHYCalling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis 7years of

service to Brevard

KLD has served over 13,000 in out-of-school programs

We see 160 students weekly

You should know39% of Brevard County’s youth are at-risk

In 2008 100,000 students dropped out of Florida High Schools

That lifetimeloss of income $26,041,125,500

The value of KLD’s mission to Brevard

County...

PRICELESS

KLD TODAYKLD TODAY The FactsThe FactsThe education of children shapes their personal development and life choices as well as the economic and social progress of our nation.The KLD Youth Foundation was founded in 2002, conceived from a vision to effectively educate and empower at-risk youth through positive prevention programs. The foundation’s founder, Kevin Deaton, was merely 20 years old when he felt compelled to help young people struggling with destructive behavior.

As a former foster child who felt no sense of guidance until the age of 15 when his foster family provided him with security, love and a Christian faith, Kevin understands the unique needs of neglected youth. As a result, he has made it the foundation’s mission to “fill the gaps” in the lives of at-risk youth, providing these individuals with the confidence and tools to live productively.

Striving to positively impact today’s troubled youth by addressing complex issues while building individual strengths and capabilities, the foundation provides an environment that fosters personal growth. KLD offers both out-of-school programs and educational opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are slipping through the cracks of our public school systems.

While many youth’s lives have been uplifted by KLD’s services, the foundation aims to continually develop and expand its offerings. Moving forward, KLD hopes to build a central campus that will provide innovative specialized education, career and lifestyle training, as well as a complete array of out-of-school activities, including community service outreach programs.

The realization of such a sprawling campus will support KLD’s mission to educate and empower young people. Affirming the foundation’s desire to create a safe and friendly environment that will build a sense of family and enrich the quality and potential of the lives of all who participate.

KLD FUTUREKLD FUTURE

Proposed Facilities andPrograms.KLD has come a long way, but our vision is to go much further in serving our at-risk students, as well as other youth and families throughout Brevard County. Our goal is to acquire property where we can develop a central campus, a school, dormitory, adminis-trative building and indoor and outdoor activ-ity facilities. This campus will provide innova-tive specialized education; career and lifestyle training; and a complete array of out-of-school activities (including community-service outreach projects).

We stand in-line with these life affirming preventive principles; to provide open space systems, create a safe friendly environment, maximize opportunities for physical activity, emphasize social networks and build a sense of family legacy to enrich the quality of life for all who participate.

Our visionfor the future:

Learning Center (classrooms for grades K-12/vocational

training/technology center)

Social Center (including learning lab, computer center, food court, internet

café, arcade/video game room, Christian retail store, and radio/TV studio)

Career Resource Center

Cafeteria and Culinary Training Center

Auditorium and Community Special Event Center

Gymnasium/Fitness Center

Sports and Recreation Areas to include Aquatic Center and Out-of-School CampsDaycare Center

Space for like service organizations and public/private partnerships

Provide dormitory living space forfull-time students

Provide daily out-of-school activitiesand family support

Provide vehicles to support theservices offered

• Brevard Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition• Wal-Mart• Universal Assoc• Stroupe Family• Eckerd Foundation• Bright House Network• Parrish Medical Center

• Brevard Community College• Christopher Burton Homes• Dr. James Elmer• Dr. Larry Nissen• Dr. Sara Switzer• Space Cost Marketing Group• Roger Boatman• Indian River Press• Learning RX• Ocean Partners• Rhonda Hinds, CPA• YMCA Titusville

PARTNERSPARTNERS

DONORSDONORS

KLD Youth Foundation85 Richland Avenue

Merritt Island, Florida 32953

321-454-7333www.kldkids.orginfo@kldkids.org

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYEXECUTIVE SUMMARYIn brief, the education of children shapes their own personal development and life choices, as well as the economic and social progress of our Nation.

At KLD, our approach to this epidemic is prevention programs focused on the complex issues facing at-risk youth while building on their strengths and capabilities. Within the next few pages, we will share with you who we are, where we have come from and where we believe we must be to impact this generation …right here... right now.

We offer the youth we serve 24/7 services, which continue to stretch our boundaries. To succeed they need to acquire adequate attitudes, behaviors and skills. We must find the right tools to maximize our efforts.

As you review this document I hope that you see our vision and are inspired to help make this generation one of purpose and leadership.

The promise of our nation truly rests in our youngest generation. The skills they develop, the habits they form, and the communities they build will determine the future of the nation and our progress. From our neighborhoods, to our Nation’s Capital, we are a people depending on the ingenuity and skills of our people to contribute to its greatness.

With these thoughts in mind, to educate and empower our youth should become our nation’s most important mission. For the KLD Youth Foun-dation, that IS our mission. We take the course we set to fill the gap for a generation at-risk seriously. This generation is more at-risk than most may think.

Over the past few years, countless reports have brought to light the reality of that very risk and how it can impact our country. One such report is The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts. It highlights the facts that nearly one-third of all public high school students – and nearly 50 percent of minorities – fail to graduate with their class. The impact of this devastating report is staggering and costly. If, for instance, those students in Florida alone, who did not graduate in 2007 actually graduated our state would experience an estimated increase of over $26 Billion over their lifetime. The dropout count in Florida for 2008 was 100,000 students!

In addition, the America’s Civic Health Index measured 40 indicators of the Nation’s civic health over the past 30 years. The most dramatic divides in civic health related to levels of educa-tion. The less educated, the less civic involvement in every civic category, from volunteering and work on community projects to attending meet-ings and voting. For the most part, high school dropouts are no longer even a part of the civil society…the very thing that would enable them to be effective advocates for them.

Mrs Shaffer,Thanks for allyou do here atKLD. It really has made a difference inmy life!

Jordan

Janet ShafferCEO, KLD YouthFoundation

337 miles to Tallahasee

Sen. Haridopolos & the KLD Klds

Standing proud at the Senate

Leaving Brevard

Walking to the CapitalWalking to the Capital was meant to provide a real life backdrop for this project-based civics study — a historical authentic laboratory that could empower our students lives forever. What they got was so much more than any of us could have imagined.

Our goal was to present the data from the past as a tool to understand how societies function. Knowing the past causes the present and so the future. History truly can provide a real and relevant grasp of how our government and their world works. Ultimately helping our students empower their own lives.

We could only hope that this study would inspire leaders of tomorrow by looking at leaders of yesterday and today. Studying the historic relevance of our state and our government through project-based curriculum. With such an intense project-based study of history, we exposed our students to the complexities of human nature and the development of diverse human cultures, values, institutions, and major events. More than that, they become part of history, part of their community and part of their future…. an active part…. and for that their lives are forever changed.

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

Calling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis

Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school. Every day, seven thousand students walk out on their education. One-third of all students fail to graduate high school. Most low-income students who start college never finish.America’s education crisis has left many young people, especially minorities and those from lower-income families, without the skills and knowledge required for a meaningful career in the 21st century. Of those who do graduate high school, half lack the skills to successfully complete community college. Most drop out of post secondary education before receiving a certificate or diploma. In the face of increasing global economic concerns, our failure to ensure all Americans have access to a great education is a threat to long-term American competitiveness and prosperity.

With the why clearly defined, KLD addresses the how by providing kids that don’t fit the stan-dard mold – individualized tools that fit their story and their need. To make sure that each of them graduates with the confidence that they CAN have a productive future. After all, everyone has a story – we just want to give him or her a new script.

Low Graduation Rates for Students

With Learning Disabilities

According to data reported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office

of Special Education Programs (OSEP), graduation rates for students with disabili-

ties are just over 32%. Another 11% no longer identified as needing special educa-

tion services, which means that they became fully mainstreamed students without an

Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Even if all of those students who were no longer listed as having a disability earned regular diplomas, that would still mean that only 43% of students identified as in need of special services earn a high school diploma. Six states (Georgia, Missis-sippi, Nevada, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida) graduate under 25% of students with special needs. Yet, despite these deeply alarming figures, there is little to no publicly reported data on graduation rates for this subgroup at the district level.

Sources: Education Week, Quality Counts 2004 Citing US. Department of Education Office for Special Education Programs.

THE WHYTHE WHYCalling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis 7years of

service to Brevard

KLD has served over 13,000 in out-of-school programs

We see 160 students weekly

You should know39% of Brevard County’s youth are at-risk

In 2008 100,000 students dropped out of Florida High Schools

That lifetimeloss of income $26,041,125,500

The value of KLD’s mission to Brevard

County...

PRICELESS

KLD TODAYKLD TODAY The FactsThe FactsThe education of children shapes their personal development and life choices as well as the economic and social progress of our nation.The KLD Youth Foundation was founded in 2002, conceived from a vision to effectively educate and empower at-risk youth through positive prevention programs. The foundation’s founder, Kevin Deaton, was merely 20 years old when he felt compelled to help young people struggling with destructive behavior.

As a former foster child who felt no sense of guidance until the age of 15 when his foster family provided him with security, love and a Christian faith, Kevin understands the unique needs of neglected youth. As a result, he has made it the foundation’s mission to “fill the gaps” in the lives of at-risk youth, providing these individuals with the confidence and tools to live productively.

Striving to positively impact today’s troubled youth by addressing complex issues while building individual strengths and capabilities, the foundation provides an environment that fosters personal growth. KLD offers both out-of-school programs and educational opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are slipping through the cracks of our public school systems.

While many youth’s lives have been uplifted by KLD’s services, the foundation aims to continually develop and expand its offerings. Moving forward, KLD hopes to build a central campus that will provide innovative specialized education, career and lifestyle training, as well as a complete array of out-of-school activities, including community service outreach programs.

The realization of such a sprawling campus will support KLD’s mission to educate and empower young people. Affirming the foundation’s desire to create a safe and friendly environment that will build a sense of family and enrich the quality and potential of the lives of all who participate.

KLD FUTUREKLD FUTURE

Proposed Facilities andPrograms.KLD has come a long way, but our vision is to go much further in serving our at-risk students, as well as other youth and families throughout Brevard County. Our goal is to acquire property where we can develop a central campus, a school, dormitory, adminis-trative building and indoor and outdoor activ-ity facilities. This campus will provide innova-tive specialized education; career and lifestyle training; and a complete array of out-of-school activities (including community-service outreach projects).

We stand in-line with these life affirming preventive principles; to provide open space systems, create a safe friendly environment, maximize opportunities for physical activity, emphasize social networks and build a sense of family legacy to enrich the quality of life for all who participate.

Our visionfor the future:

Learning Center (classrooms for grades K-12/vocational

training/technology center)

Social Center (including learning lab, computer center, food court, internet

café, arcade/video game room, Christian retail store, and radio/TV studio)

Career Resource Center

Cafeteria and Culinary Training Center

Auditorium and Community Special Event Center

Gymnasium/Fitness Center

Sports and Recreation Areas to include Aquatic Center and Out-of-School CampsDaycare Center

Space for like service organizations and public/private partnerships

Provide dormitory living space forfull-time students

Provide daily out-of-school activitiesand family support

Provide vehicles to support theservices offered

• Brevard Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition• Wal-Mart• Universal Assoc• Stroupe Family• Eckerd Foundation• Bright House Network• Parrish Medical Center

• Brevard Community College• Christopher Burton Homes• Dr. James Elmer• Dr. Larry Nissen• Dr. Sara Switzer• Space Cost Marketing Group• Roger Boatman• Indian River Press• Learning RX• Ocean Partners• Rhonda Hinds, CPA• YMCA Titusville

PARTNERSPARTNERS

DONORSDONORS

KLD Youth Foundation85 Richland Avenue

Merritt Island, Florida 32953

321-454-7333www.kldkids.orginfo@kldkids.org

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYEXECUTIVE SUMMARYIn brief, the education of children shapes their own personal development and life choices, as well as the economic and social progress of our Nation.

At KLD, our approach to this epidemic is prevention programs focused on the complex issues facing at-risk youth while building on their strengths and capabilities. Within the next few pages, we will share with you who we are, where we have come from and where we believe we must be to impact this generation …right here... right now.

We offer the youth we serve 24/7 services, which continue to stretch our boundaries. To succeed they need to acquire adequate attitudes, behaviors and skills. We must find the right tools to maximize our efforts.

As you review this document I hope that you see our vision and are inspired to help make this generation one of purpose and leadership.

The promise of our nation truly rests in our youngest generation. The skills they develop, the habits they form, and the communities they build will determine the future of the nation and our progress. From our neighborhoods, to our Nation’s Capital, we are a people depending on the ingenuity and skills of our people to contribute to its greatness.

With these thoughts in mind, to educate and empower our youth should become our nation’s most important mission. For the KLD Youth Foun-dation, that IS our mission. We take the course we set to fill the gap for a generation at-risk seriously. This generation is more at-risk than most may think.

Over the past few years, countless reports have brought to light the reality of that very risk and how it can impact our country. One such report is The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts. It highlights the facts that nearly one-third of all public high school students – and nearly 50 percent of minorities – fail to graduate with their class. The impact of this devastating report is staggering and costly. If, for instance, those students in Florida alone, who did not graduate in 2007 actually graduated our state would experience an estimated increase of over $26 Billion over their lifetime. The dropout count in Florida for 2008 was 100,000 students!

In addition, the America’s Civic Health Index measured 40 indicators of the Nation’s civic health over the past 30 years. The most dramatic divides in civic health related to levels of educa-tion. The less educated, the less civic involvement in every civic category, from volunteering and work on community projects to attending meet-ings and voting. For the most part, high school dropouts are no longer even a part of the civil society…the very thing that would enable them to be effective advocates for them.

Mrs Shaffer,Thanks for allyou do here atKLD. It really has made a difference inmy life!

Jordan

Janet ShafferCEO, KLD YouthFoundation

337 miles to Tallahasee

Sen. Haridopolos & the KLD Klds

Standing proud at the Senate

Leaving Brevard

Walking to the CapitalWalking to the Capital was meant to provide a real life backdrop for this project-based civics study — a historical authentic laboratory that could empower our students lives forever. What they got was so much more than any of us could have imagined.

Our goal was to present the data from the past as a tool to understand how societies function. Knowing the past causes the present and so the future. History truly can provide a real and relevant grasp of how our government and their world works. Ultimately helping our students empower their own lives.

We could only hope that this study would inspire leaders of tomorrow by looking at leaders of yesterday and today. Studying the historic relevance of our state and our government through project-based curriculum. With such an intense project-based study of history, we exposed our students to the complexities of human nature and the development of diverse human cultures, values, institutions, and major events. More than that, they become part of history, part of their community and part of their future…. an active part…. and for that their lives are forever changed.

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

Calling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis

Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school. Every day, seven thousand students walk out on their education. One-third of all students fail to graduate high school. Most low-income students who start college never finish.America’s education crisis has left many young people, especially minorities and those from lower-income families, without the skills and knowledge required for a meaningful career in the 21st century. Of those who do graduate high school, half lack the skills to successfully complete community college. Most drop out of post secondary education before receiving a certificate or diploma. In the face of increasing global economic concerns, our failure to ensure all Americans have access to a great education is a threat to long-term American competitiveness and prosperity.

With the why clearly defined, KLD addresses the how by providing kids that don’t fit the stan-dard mold – individualized tools that fit their story and their need. To make sure that each of them graduates with the confidence that they CAN have a productive future. After all, everyone has a story – we just want to give him or her a new script.

Low Graduation Rates for Students

With Learning Disabilities

According to data reported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office

of Special Education Programs (OSEP), graduation rates for students with disabili-

ties are just over 32%. Another 11% no longer identified as needing special educa-

tion services, which means that they became fully mainstreamed students without an

Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Even if all of those students who were no longer listed as having a disability earned regular diplomas, that would still mean that only 43% of students identified as in need of special services earn a high school diploma. Six states (Georgia, Missis-sippi, Nevada, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida) graduate under 25% of students with special needs. Yet, despite these deeply alarming figures, there is little to no publicly reported data on graduation rates for this subgroup at the district level.

Sources: Education Week, Quality Counts 2004 Citing US. Department of Education Office for Special Education Programs.

THE WHYTHE WHYCalling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis 7years of

service to Brevard

KLD has served over 13,000 in out-of-school programs

We see 160 students weekly

You should know39% of Brevard County’s youth are at-risk

In 2008 100,000 students dropped out of Florida High Schools

That lifetimeloss of income $26,041,125,500

The value of KLD’s mission to Brevard

County...

PRICELESS

KLD TODAYKLD TODAY The FactsThe FactsThe education of children shapes their personal development and life choices as well as the economic and social progress of our nation.The KLD Youth Foundation was founded in 2002, conceived from a vision to effectively educate and empower at-risk youth through positive prevention programs. The foundation’s founder, Kevin Deaton, was merely 20 years old when he felt compelled to help young people struggling with destructive behavior.

As a former foster child who felt no sense of guidance until the age of 15 when his foster family provided him with security, love and a Christian faith, Kevin understands the unique needs of neglected youth. As a result, he has made it the foundation’s mission to “fill the gaps” in the lives of at-risk youth, providing these individuals with the confidence and tools to live productively.

Striving to positively impact today’s troubled youth by addressing complex issues while building individual strengths and capabilities, the foundation provides an environment that fosters personal growth. KLD offers both out-of-school programs and educational opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are slipping through the cracks of our public school systems.

While many youth’s lives have been uplifted by KLD’s services, the foundation aims to continually develop and expand its offerings. Moving forward, KLD hopes to build a central campus that will provide innovative specialized education, career and lifestyle training, as well as a complete array of out-of-school activities, including community service outreach programs.

The realization of such a sprawling campus will support KLD’s mission to educate and empower young people. Affirming the foundation’s desire to create a safe and friendly environment that will build a sense of family and enrich the quality and potential of the lives of all who participate.

KLD FUTUREKLD FUTURE

Proposed Facilities andPrograms.KLD has come a long way, but our vision is to go much further in serving our at-risk students, as well as other youth and families throughout Brevard County. Our goal is to acquire property where we can develop a central campus, a school, dormitory, adminis-trative building and indoor and outdoor activ-ity facilities. This campus will provide innova-tive specialized education; career and lifestyle training; and a complete array of out-of-school activities (including community-service outreach projects).

We stand in-line with these life affirming preventive principles; to provide open space systems, create a safe friendly environment, maximize opportunities for physical activity, emphasize social networks and build a sense of family legacy to enrich the quality of life for all who participate.

Our visionfor the future:

Learning Center (classrooms for grades K-12/vocational

training/technology center)

Social Center (including learning lab, computer center, food court, internet

café, arcade/video game room, Christian retail store, and radio/TV studio)

Career Resource Center

Cafeteria and Culinary Training Center

Auditorium and Community Special Event Center

Gymnasium/Fitness Center

Sports and Recreation Areas to include Aquatic Center and Out-of-School CampsDaycare Center

Space for like service organizations and public/private partnerships

Provide dormitory living space forfull-time students

Provide daily out-of-school activitiesand family support

Provide vehicles to support theservices offered

• Brevard Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition• Wal-Mart• Universal Assoc• Stroupe Family• Eckerd Foundation• Bright House Network• Parrish Medical Center

• Brevard Community College• Christopher Burton Homes• Dr. James Elmer• Dr. Larry Nissen• Dr. Sara Switzer• Space Cost Marketing Group• Roger Boatman• Indian River Press• Learning RX• Ocean Partners• Rhonda Hinds, CPA• YMCA Titusville

PARTNERSPARTNERS

DONORSDONORS

KLD Youth Foundation85 Richland Avenue

Merritt Island, Florida 32953

321-454-7333www.kldkids.orginfo@kldkids.org

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYEXECUTIVE SUMMARYIn brief, the education of children shapes their own personal development and life choices, as well as the economic and social progress of our Nation.

At KLD, our approach to this epidemic is prevention programs focused on the complex issues facing at-risk youth while building on their strengths and capabilities. Within the next few pages, we will share with you who we are, where we have come from and where we believe we must be to impact this generation …right here... right now.

We offer the youth we serve 24/7 services, which continue to stretch our boundaries. To succeed they need to acquire adequate attitudes, behaviors and skills. We must find the right tools to maximize our efforts.

As you review this document I hope that you see our vision and are inspired to help make this generation one of purpose and leadership.

The promise of our nation truly rests in our youngest generation. The skills they develop, the habits they form, and the communities they build will determine the future of the nation and our progress. From our neighborhoods, to our Nation’s Capital, we are a people depending on the ingenuity and skills of our people to contribute to its greatness.

With these thoughts in mind, to educate and empower our youth should become our nation’s most important mission. For the KLD Youth Foun-dation, that IS our mission. We take the course we set to fill the gap for a generation at-risk seriously. This generation is more at-risk than most may think.

Over the past few years, countless reports have brought to light the reality of that very risk and how it can impact our country. One such report is The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts. It highlights the facts that nearly one-third of all public high school students – and nearly 50 percent of minorities – fail to graduate with their class. The impact of this devastating report is staggering and costly. If, for instance, those students in Florida alone, who did not graduate in 2007 actually graduated our state would experience an estimated increase of over $26 Billion over their lifetime. The dropout count in Florida for 2008 was 100,000 students!

In addition, the America’s Civic Health Index measured 40 indicators of the Nation’s civic health over the past 30 years. The most dramatic divides in civic health related to levels of educa-tion. The less educated, the less civic involvement in every civic category, from volunteering and work on community projects to attending meet-ings and voting. For the most part, high school dropouts are no longer even a part of the civil society…the very thing that would enable them to be effective advocates for them.

Mrs Shaffer,Thanks for allyou do here atKLD. It really has made a difference inmy life!

Jordan

Janet ShafferCEO, KLD YouthFoundation

337 miles to Tallahasee

Sen. Haridopolos & the KLD Klds

Standing proud at the Senate

Leaving Brevard

Walking to the CapitalWalking to the Capital was meant to provide a real life backdrop for this project-based civics study — a historical authentic laboratory that could empower our students lives forever. What they got was so much more than any of us could have imagined.

Our goal was to present the data from the past as a tool to understand how societies function. Knowing the past causes the present and so the future. History truly can provide a real and relevant grasp of how our government and their world works. Ultimately helping our students empower their own lives.

We could only hope that this study would inspire leaders of tomorrow by looking at leaders of yesterday and today. Studying the historic relevance of our state and our government through project-based curriculum. With such an intense project-based study of history, we exposed our students to the complexities of human nature and the development of diverse human cultures, values, institutions, and major events. More than that, they become part of history, part of their community and part of their future…. an active part…. and for that their lives are forever changed.

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

Calling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis

Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school. Every day, seven thousand students walk out on their education. One-third of all students fail to graduate high school. Most low-income students who start college never finish.America’s education crisis has left many young people, especially minorities and those from lower-income families, without the skills and knowledge required for a meaningful career in the 21st century. Of those who do graduate high school, half lack the skills to successfully complete community college. Most drop out of post secondary education before receiving a certificate or diploma. In the face of increasing global economic concerns, our failure to ensure all Americans have access to a great education is a threat to long-term American competitiveness and prosperity.

With the why clearly defined, KLD addresses the how by providing kids that don’t fit the stan-dard mold – individualized tools that fit their story and their need. To make sure that each of them graduates with the confidence that they CAN have a productive future. After all, everyone has a story – we just want to give him or her a new script.

Low Graduation Rates for Students

With Learning Disabilities

According to data reported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office

of Special Education Programs (OSEP), graduation rates for students with disabili-

ties are just over 32%. Another 11% no longer identified as needing special educa-

tion services, which means that they became fully mainstreamed students without an

Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Even if all of those students who were no longer listed as having a disability earned regular diplomas, that would still mean that only 43% of students identified as in need of special services earn a high school diploma. Six states (Georgia, Missis-sippi, Nevada, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida) graduate under 25% of students with special needs. Yet, despite these deeply alarming figures, there is little to no publicly reported data on graduation rates for this subgroup at the district level.

Sources: Education Week, Quality Counts 2004 Citing US. Department of Education Office for Special Education Programs.

THE WHYTHE WHYCalling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis 7years of

service to Brevard

KLD has served over 13,000 in out-of-school programs

We see 160 students weekly

You should know39% of Brevard County’s youth are at-risk

In 2008 100,000 students dropped out of Florida High Schools

That lifetimeloss of income $26,041,125,500

The value of KLD’s mission to Brevard

County...

PRICELESS

KLD TODAYKLD TODAY The FactsThe FactsThe education of children shapes their personal development and life choices as well as the economic and social progress of our nation.The KLD Youth Foundation was founded in 2002, conceived from a vision to effectively educate and empower at-risk youth through positive prevention programs. The foundation’s founder, Kevin Deaton, was merely 20 years old when he felt compelled to help young people struggling with destructive behavior.

As a former foster child who felt no sense of guidance until the age of 15 when his foster family provided him with security, love and a Christian faith, Kevin understands the unique needs of neglected youth. As a result, he has made it the foundation’s mission to “fill the gaps” in the lives of at-risk youth, providing these individuals with the confidence and tools to live productively.

Striving to positively impact today’s troubled youth by addressing complex issues while building individual strengths and capabilities, the foundation provides an environment that fosters personal growth. KLD offers both out-of-school programs and educational opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are slipping through the cracks of our public school systems.

While many youth’s lives have been uplifted by KLD’s services, the foundation aims to continually develop and expand its offerings. Moving forward, KLD hopes to build a central campus that will provide innovative specialized education, career and lifestyle training, as well as a complete array of out-of-school activities, including community service outreach programs.

The realization of such a sprawling campus will support KLD’s mission to educate and empower young people. Affirming the foundation’s desire to create a safe and friendly environment that will build a sense of family and enrich the quality and potential of the lives of all who participate.

KLD FUTUREKLD FUTURE

Proposed Facilities andPrograms.KLD has come a long way, but our vision is to go much further in serving our at-risk students, as well as other youth and families throughout Brevard County. Our goal is to acquire property where we can develop a central campus, a school, dormitory, adminis-trative building and indoor and outdoor activ-ity facilities. This campus will provide innova-tive specialized education; career and lifestyle training; and a complete array of out-of-school activities (including community-service outreach projects).

We stand in-line with these life affirming preventive principles; to provide open space systems, create a safe friendly environment, maximize opportunities for physical activity, emphasize social networks and build a sense of family legacy to enrich the quality of life for all who participate.

Our visionfor the future:

Learning Center (classrooms for grades K-12/vocational

training/technology center)

Social Center (including learning lab, computer center, food court, internet

café, arcade/video game room, Christian retail store, and radio/TV studio)

Career Resource Center

Cafeteria and Culinary Training Center

Auditorium and Community Special Event Center

Gymnasium/Fitness Center

Sports and Recreation Areas to include Aquatic Center and Out-of-School CampsDaycare Center

Space for like service organizations and public/private partnerships

Provide dormitory living space forfull-time students

Provide daily out-of-school activitiesand family support

Provide vehicles to support theservices offered

• Brevard Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition• Wal-Mart• Universal Assoc• Stroupe Family• Eckerd Foundation• Bright House Network• Parrish Medical Center

• Brevard Community College• Christopher Burton Homes• Dr. James Elmer• Dr. Larry Nissen• Dr. Sara Switzer• Space Cost Marketing Group• Roger Boatman• Indian River Press• Learning RX• Ocean Partners• Rhonda Hinds, CPA• YMCA Titusville

PARTNERSPARTNERS

DONORSDONORS

KLD Youth Foundation85 Richland Avenue

Merritt Island, Florida 32953

321-454-7333www.kldkids.orginfo@kldkids.org

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYEXECUTIVE SUMMARYIn brief, the education of children shapes their own personal development and life choices, as well as the economic and social progress of our Nation.

At KLD, our approach to this epidemic is prevention programs focused on the complex issues facing at-risk youth while building on their strengths and capabilities. Within the next few pages, we will share with you who we are, where we have come from and where we believe we must be to impact this generation …right here... right now.

We offer the youth we serve 24/7 services, which continue to stretch our boundaries. To succeed they need to acquire adequate attitudes, behaviors and skills. We must find the right tools to maximize our efforts.

As you review this document I hope that you see our vision and are inspired to help make this generation one of purpose and leadership.

The promise of our nation truly rests in our youngest generation. The skills they develop, the habits they form, and the communities they build will determine the future of the nation and our progress. From our neighborhoods, to our Nation’s Capital, we are a people depending on the ingenuity and skills of our people to contribute to its greatness.

With these thoughts in mind, to educate and empower our youth should become our nation’s most important mission. For the KLD Youth Foun-dation, that IS our mission. We take the course we set to fill the gap for a generation at-risk seriously. This generation is more at-risk than most may think.

Over the past few years, countless reports have brought to light the reality of that very risk and how it can impact our country. One such report is The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts. It highlights the facts that nearly one-third of all public high school students – and nearly 50 percent of minorities – fail to graduate with their class. The impact of this devastating report is staggering and costly. If, for instance, those students in Florida alone, who did not graduate in 2007 actually graduated our state would experience an estimated increase of over $26 Billion over their lifetime. The dropout count in Florida for 2008 was 100,000 students!

In addition, the America’s Civic Health Index measured 40 indicators of the Nation’s civic health over the past 30 years. The most dramatic divides in civic health related to levels of educa-tion. The less educated, the less civic involvement in every civic category, from volunteering and work on community projects to attending meet-ings and voting. For the most part, high school dropouts are no longer even a part of the civil society…the very thing that would enable them to be effective advocates for them.

Mrs Shaffer,Thanks for allyou do here atKLD. It really has made a difference inmy life!

Jordan

Janet ShafferCEO, KLD YouthFoundation

337 miles to Tallahasee

Sen. Haridopolos & the KLD Klds

Standing proud at the Senate

Leaving Brevard

Walking to the CapitalWalking to the Capital was meant to provide a real life backdrop for this project-based civics study — a historical authentic laboratory that could empower our students lives forever. What they got was so much more than any of us could have imagined.

Our goal was to present the data from the past as a tool to understand how societies function. Knowing the past causes the present and so the future. History truly can provide a real and relevant grasp of how our government and their world works. Ultimately helping our students empower their own lives.

We could only hope that this study would inspire leaders of tomorrow by looking at leaders of yesterday and today. Studying the historic relevance of our state and our government through project-based curriculum. With such an intense project-based study of history, we exposed our students to the complexities of human nature and the development of diverse human cultures, values, institutions, and major events. More than that, they become part of history, part of their community and part of their future…. an active part…. and for that their lives are forever changed.

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

Calling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis

Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school. Every day, seven thousand students walk out on their education. One-third of all students fail to graduate high school. Most low-income students who start college never finish.America’s education crisis has left many young people, especially minorities and those from lower-income families, without the skills and knowledge required for a meaningful career in the 21st century. Of those who do graduate high school, half lack the skills to successfully complete community college. Most drop out of post secondary education before receiving a certificate or diploma. In the face of increasing global economic concerns, our failure to ensure all Americans have access to a great education is a threat to long-term American competitiveness and prosperity.

With the why clearly defined, KLD addresses the how by providing kids that don’t fit the stan-dard mold – individualized tools that fit their story and their need. To make sure that each of them graduates with the confidence that they CAN have a productive future. After all, everyone has a story – we just want to give him or her a new script.

Low Graduation Rates for Students

With Learning Disabilities

According to data reported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office

of Special Education Programs (OSEP), graduation rates for students with disabili-

ties are just over 32%. Another 11% no longer identified as needing special educa-

tion services, which means that they became fully mainstreamed students without an

Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Even if all of those students who were no longer listed as having a disability earned regular diplomas, that would still mean that only 43% of students identified as in need of special services earn a high school diploma. Six states (Georgia, Missis-sippi, Nevada, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida) graduate under 25% of students with special needs. Yet, despite these deeply alarming figures, there is little to no publicly reported data on graduation rates for this subgroup at the district level.

Sources: Education Week, Quality Counts 2004 Citing US. Department of Education Office for Special Education Programs.

THE WHYTHE WHYCalling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis 7years of

service to Brevard

KLD has served over 13,000 in out-of-school programs

We see 160 students weekly

You should know39% of Brevard County’s youth are at-risk

In 2008 100,000 students dropped out of Florida High Schools

That lifetimeloss of income $26,041,125,500

The value of KLD’s mission to Brevard

County...

PRICELESS

KLD TODAYKLD TODAY The FactsThe FactsThe education of children shapes their personal development and life choices as well as the economic and social progress of our nation.The KLD Youth Foundation was founded in 2002, conceived from a vision to effectively educate and empower at-risk youth through positive prevention programs. The foundation’s founder, Kevin Deaton, was merely 20 years old when he felt compelled to help young people struggling with destructive behavior.

As a former foster child who felt no sense of guidance until the age of 15 when his foster family provided him with security, love and a Christian faith, Kevin understands the unique needs of neglected youth. As a result, he has made it the foundation’s mission to “fill the gaps” in the lives of at-risk youth, providing these individuals with the confidence and tools to live productively.

Striving to positively impact today’s troubled youth by addressing complex issues while building individual strengths and capabilities, the foundation provides an environment that fosters personal growth. KLD offers both out-of-school programs and educational opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are slipping through the cracks of our public school systems.

While many youth’s lives have been uplifted by KLD’s services, the foundation aims to continually develop and expand its offerings. Moving forward, KLD hopes to build a central campus that will provide innovative specialized education, career and lifestyle training, as well as a complete array of out-of-school activities, including community service outreach programs.

The realization of such a sprawling campus will support KLD’s mission to educate and empower young people. Affirming the foundation’s desire to create a safe and friendly environment that will build a sense of family and enrich the quality and potential of the lives of all who participate.

KLD FUTUREKLD FUTURE

Proposed Facilities andPrograms.KLD has come a long way, but our vision is to go much further in serving our at-risk students, as well as other youth and families throughout Brevard County. Our goal is to acquire property where we can develop a central campus, a school, dormitory, adminis-trative building and indoor and outdoor activ-ity facilities. This campus will provide innova-tive specialized education; career and lifestyle training; and a complete array of out-of-school activities (including community-service outreach projects).

We stand in-line with these life affirming preventive principles; to provide open space systems, create a safe friendly environment, maximize opportunities for physical activity, emphasize social networks and build a sense of family legacy to enrich the quality of life for all who participate.

Our visionfor the future:

Learning Center (classrooms for grades K-12/vocational

training/technology center)

Social Center (including learning lab, computer center, food court, internet

café, arcade/video game room, Christian retail store, and radio/TV studio)

Career Resource Center

Cafeteria and Culinary Training Center

Auditorium and Community Special Event Center

Gymnasium/Fitness Center

Sports and Recreation Areas to include Aquatic Center and Out-of-School CampsDaycare Center

Space for like service organizations and public/private partnerships

Provide dormitory living space forfull-time students

Provide daily out-of-school activitiesand family support

Provide vehicles to support theservices offered

• Brevard Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition• Wal-Mart• Universal Assoc• Stroupe Family• Eckerd Foundation• Bright House Network• Parrish Medical Center

• Brevard Community College• Christopher Burton Homes• Dr. James Elmer• Dr. Larry Nissen• Dr. Sara Switzer• Space Cost Marketing Group• Roger Boatman• Indian River Press• Learning RX• Ocean Partners• Rhonda Hinds, CPA• YMCA Titusville

PARTNERSPARTNERS

DONORSDONORS

KLD Youth Foundation85 Richland Avenue

Merritt Island, Florida 32953

321-454-7333www.kldkids.orginfo@kldkids.org

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYEXECUTIVE SUMMARYIn brief, the education of children shapes their own personal development and life choices, as well as the economic and social progress of our Nation.

At KLD, our approach to this epidemic is prevention programs focused on the complex issues facing at-risk youth while building on their strengths and capabilities. Within the next few pages, we will share with you who we are, where we have come from and where we believe we must be to impact this generation …right here... right now.

We offer the youth we serve 24/7 services, which continue to stretch our boundaries. To succeed they need to acquire adequate attitudes, behaviors and skills. We must find the right tools to maximize our efforts.

As you review this document I hope that you see our vision and are inspired to help make this generation one of purpose and leadership.

The promise of our nation truly rests in our youngest generation. The skills they develop, the habits they form, and the communities they build will determine the future of the nation and our progress. From our neighborhoods, to our Nation’s Capital, we are a people depending on the ingenuity and skills of our people to contribute to its greatness.

With these thoughts in mind, to educate and empower our youth should become our nation’s most important mission. For the KLD Youth Foun-dation, that IS our mission. We take the course we set to fill the gap for a generation at-risk seriously. This generation is more at-risk than most may think.

Over the past few years, countless reports have brought to light the reality of that very risk and how it can impact our country. One such report is The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts. It highlights the facts that nearly one-third of all public high school students – and nearly 50 percent of minorities – fail to graduate with their class. The impact of this devastating report is staggering and costly. If, for instance, those students in Florida alone, who did not graduate in 2007 actually graduated our state would experience an estimated increase of over $26 Billion over their lifetime. The dropout count in Florida for 2008 was 100,000 students!

In addition, the America’s Civic Health Index measured 40 indicators of the Nation’s civic health over the past 30 years. The most dramatic divides in civic health related to levels of educa-tion. The less educated, the less civic involvement in every civic category, from volunteering and work on community projects to attending meet-ings and voting. For the most part, high school dropouts are no longer even a part of the civil society…the very thing that would enable them to be effective advocates for them.

Mrs Shaffer,Thanks for allyou do here atKLD. It really has made a difference inmy life!

Jordan

Janet ShafferCEO, KLD YouthFoundation

337 miles to Tallahasee

Sen. Haridopolos & the KLD Klds

Standing proud at the Senate

Leaving Brevard

Walking to the CapitalWalking to the Capital was meant to provide a real life backdrop for this project-based civics study — a historical authentic laboratory that could empower our students lives forever. What they got was so much more than any of us could have imagined.

Our goal was to present the data from the past as a tool to understand how societies function. Knowing the past causes the present and so the future. History truly can provide a real and relevant grasp of how our government and their world works. Ultimately helping our students empower their own lives.

We could only hope that this study would inspire leaders of tomorrow by looking at leaders of yesterday and today. Studying the historic relevance of our state and our government through project-based curriculum. With such an intense project-based study of history, we exposed our students to the complexities of human nature and the development of diverse human cultures, values, institutions, and major events. More than that, they become part of history, part of their community and part of their future…. an active part…. and for that their lives are forever changed.

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

Calling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis

Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school. Every day, seven thousand students walk out on their education. One-third of all students fail to graduate high school. Most low-income students who start college never finish.America’s education crisis has left many young people, especially minorities and those from lower-income families, without the skills and knowledge required for a meaningful career in the 21st century. Of those who do graduate high school, half lack the skills to successfully complete community college. Most drop out of post secondary education before receiving a certificate or diploma. In the face of increasing global economic concerns, our failure to ensure all Americans have access to a great education is a threat to long-term American competitiveness and prosperity.

With the why clearly defined, KLD addresses the how by providing kids that don’t fit the stan-dard mold – individualized tools that fit their story and their need. To make sure that each of them graduates with the confidence that they CAN have a productive future. After all, everyone has a story – we just want to give him or her a new script.

Low Graduation Rates for Students

With Learning Disabilities

According to data reported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office

of Special Education Programs (OSEP), graduation rates for students with disabili-

ties are just over 32%. Another 11% no longer identified as needing special educa-

tion services, which means that they became fully mainstreamed students without an

Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Even if all of those students who were no longer listed as having a disability earned regular diplomas, that would still mean that only 43% of students identified as in need of special services earn a high school diploma. Six states (Georgia, Missis-sippi, Nevada, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida) graduate under 25% of students with special needs. Yet, despite these deeply alarming figures, there is little to no publicly reported data on graduation rates for this subgroup at the district level.

Sources: Education Week, Quality Counts 2004 Citing US. Department of Education Office for Special Education Programs.

THE WHYTHE WHYCalling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis 7years of

service to Brevard

KLD has served over 13,000 in out-of-school programs

We see 160 students weekly

You should know39% of Brevard County’s youth are at-risk

In 2008 100,000 students dropped out of Florida High Schools

That lifetimeloss of income $26,041,125,500

The value of KLD’s mission to Brevard

County...

PRICELESS

KLD TODAYKLD TODAY The FactsThe FactsThe education of children shapes their personal development and life choices as well as the economic and social progress of our nation.The KLD Youth Foundation was founded in 2002, conceived from a vision to effectively educate and empower at-risk youth through positive prevention programs. The foundation’s founder, Kevin Deaton, was merely 20 years old when he felt compelled to help young people struggling with destructive behavior.

As a former foster child who felt no sense of guidance until the age of 15 when his foster family provided him with security, love and a Christian faith, Kevin understands the unique needs of neglected youth. As a result, he has made it the foundation’s mission to “fill the gaps” in the lives of at-risk youth, providing these individuals with the confidence and tools to live productively.

Striving to positively impact today’s troubled youth by addressing complex issues while building individual strengths and capabilities, the foundation provides an environment that fosters personal growth. KLD offers both out-of-school programs and educational opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are slipping through the cracks of our public school systems.

While many youth’s lives have been uplifted by KLD’s services, the foundation aims to continually develop and expand its offerings. Moving forward, KLD hopes to build a central campus that will provide innovative specialized education, career and lifestyle training, as well as a complete array of out-of-school activities, including community service outreach programs.

The realization of such a sprawling campus will support KLD’s mission to educate and empower young people. Affirming the foundation’s desire to create a safe and friendly environment that will build a sense of family and enrich the quality and potential of the lives of all who participate.

KLD FUTUREKLD FUTURE

Proposed Facilities andPrograms.KLD has come a long way, but our vision is to go much further in serving our at-risk students, as well as other youth and families throughout Brevard County. Our goal is to acquire property where we can develop a central campus, a school, dormitory, adminis-trative building and indoor and outdoor activ-ity facilities. This campus will provide innova-tive specialized education; career and lifestyle training; and a complete array of out-of-school activities (including community-service outreach projects).

We stand in-line with these life affirming preventive principles; to provide open space systems, create a safe friendly environment, maximize opportunities for physical activity, emphasize social networks and build a sense of family legacy to enrich the quality of life for all who participate.

Our visionfor the future:

Learning Center (classrooms for grades K-12/vocational

training/technology center)

Social Center (including learning lab, computer center, food court, internet

café, arcade/video game room, Christian retail store, and radio/TV studio)

Career Resource Center

Cafeteria and Culinary Training Center

Auditorium and Community Special Event Center

Gymnasium/Fitness Center

Sports and Recreation Areas to include Aquatic Center and Out-of-School CampsDaycare Center

Space for like service organizations and public/private partnerships

Provide dormitory living space forfull-time students

Provide daily out-of-school activitiesand family support

Provide vehicles to support theservices offered

• Brevard Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition• Wal-Mart• Universal Assoc• Stroupe Family• Eckerd Foundation• Bright House Network• Parrish Medical Center

• Brevard Community College• Christopher Burton Homes• Dr. James Elmer• Dr. Larry Nissen• Dr. Sara Switzer• Space Cost Marketing Group• Roger Boatman• Indian River Press• Learning RX• Ocean Partners• Rhonda Hinds, CPA• YMCA Titusville

PARTNERSPARTNERS

DONORSDONORS

KLD Youth Foundation85 Richland Avenue

Merritt Island, Florida 32953

321-454-7333www.kldkids.orginfo@kldkids.org

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYEXECUTIVE SUMMARYIn brief, the education of children shapes their own personal development and life choices, as well as the economic and social progress of our Nation.

At KLD, our approach to this epidemic is prevention programs focused on the complex issues facing at-risk youth while building on their strengths and capabilities. Within the next few pages, we will share with you who we are, where we have come from and where we believe we must be to impact this generation …right here... right now.

We offer the youth we serve 24/7 services, which continue to stretch our boundaries. To succeed they need to acquire adequate attitudes, behaviors and skills. We must find the right tools to maximize our efforts.

As you review this document I hope that you see our vision and are inspired to help make this generation one of purpose and leadership.

The promise of our nation truly rests in our youngest generation. The skills they develop, the habits they form, and the communities they build will determine the future of the nation and our progress. From our neighborhoods, to our Nation’s Capital, we are a people depending on the ingenuity and skills of our people to contribute to its greatness.

With these thoughts in mind, to educate and empower our youth should become our nation’s most important mission. For the KLD Youth Foun-dation, that IS our mission. We take the course we set to fill the gap for a generation at-risk seriously. This generation is more at-risk than most may think.

Over the past few years, countless reports have brought to light the reality of that very risk and how it can impact our country. One such report is The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts. It highlights the facts that nearly one-third of all public high school students – and nearly 50 percent of minorities – fail to graduate with their class. The impact of this devastating report is staggering and costly. If, for instance, those students in Florida alone, who did not graduate in 2007 actually graduated our state would experience an estimated increase of over $26 Billion over their lifetime. The dropout count in Florida for 2008 was 100,000 students!

In addition, the America’s Civic Health Index measured 40 indicators of the Nation’s civic health over the past 30 years. The most dramatic divides in civic health related to levels of educa-tion. The less educated, the less civic involvement in every civic category, from volunteering and work on community projects to attending meet-ings and voting. For the most part, high school dropouts are no longer even a part of the civil society…the very thing that would enable them to be effective advocates for them.

Mrs Shaffer,Thanks for allyou do here atKLD. It really has made a difference inmy life!

Jordan

Janet ShafferCEO, KLD YouthFoundation

337 miles to Tallahasee

Sen. Haridopolos & the KLD Klds

Standing proud at the Senate

Leaving Brevard

Walking to the CapitalWalking to the Capital was meant to provide a real life backdrop for this project-based civics study — a historical authentic laboratory that could empower our students lives forever. What they got was so much more than any of us could have imagined.

Our goal was to present the data from the past as a tool to understand how societies function. Knowing the past causes the present and so the future. History truly can provide a real and relevant grasp of how our government and their world works. Ultimately helping our students empower their own lives.

We could only hope that this study would inspire leaders of tomorrow by looking at leaders of yesterday and today. Studying the historic relevance of our state and our government through project-based curriculum. With such an intense project-based study of history, we exposed our students to the complexities of human nature and the development of diverse human cultures, values, institutions, and major events. More than that, they become part of history, part of their community and part of their future…. an active part…. and for that their lives are forever changed.

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

A YEAR OFUNTHINKABLEACHIEVEMENT

Calling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis

Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school. Every day, seven thousand students walk out on their education. One-third of all students fail to graduate high school. Most low-income students who start college never finish.America’s education crisis has left many young people, especially minorities and those from lower-income families, without the skills and knowledge required for a meaningful career in the 21st century. Of those who do graduate high school, half lack the skills to successfully complete community college. Most drop out of post secondary education before receiving a certificate or diploma. In the face of increasing global economic concerns, our failure to ensure all Americans have access to a great education is a threat to long-term American competitiveness and prosperity.

With the why clearly defined, KLD addresses the how by providing kids that don’t fit the stan-dard mold – individualized tools that fit their story and their need. To make sure that each of them graduates with the confidence that they CAN have a productive future. After all, everyone has a story – we just want to give him or her a new script.

Low Graduation Rates for Students

With Learning Disabilities

According to data reported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office

of Special Education Programs (OSEP), graduation rates for students with disabili-

ties are just over 32%. Another 11% no longer identified as needing special educa-

tion services, which means that they became fully mainstreamed students without an

Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Even if all of those students who were no longer listed as having a disability earned regular diplomas, that would still mean that only 43% of students identified as in need of special services earn a high school diploma. Six states (Georgia, Missis-sippi, Nevada, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida) graduate under 25% of students with special needs. Yet, despite these deeply alarming figures, there is little to no publicly reported data on graduation rates for this subgroup at the district level.

Sources: Education Week, Quality Counts 2004 Citing US. Department of Education Office for Special Education Programs.

THE WHYTHE WHYCalling OutThe CrisisCalling OutThe Crisis 7years of

service to Brevard

KLD has served over 13,000 in out-of-school programs

We see 160 students weekly

You should know39% of Brevard County’s youth are at-risk

In 2008 100,000 students dropped out of Florida High Schools

That lifetimeloss of income $26,041,125,500

The value of KLD’s mission to Brevard

County...

PRICELESS

KLD TODAYKLD TODAY The FactsThe FactsThe education of children shapes their personal development and life choices as well as the economic and social progress of our nation.The KLD Youth Foundation was founded in 2002, conceived from a vision to effectively educate and empower at-risk youth through positive prevention programs. The foundation’s founder, Kevin Deaton, was merely 20 years old when he felt compelled to help young people struggling with destructive behavior.

As a former foster child who felt no sense of guidance until the age of 15 when his foster family provided him with security, love and a Christian faith, Kevin understands the unique needs of neglected youth. As a result, he has made it the foundation’s mission to “fill the gaps” in the lives of at-risk youth, providing these individuals with the confidence and tools to live productively.

Striving to positively impact today’s troubled youth by addressing complex issues while building individual strengths and capabilities, the foundation provides an environment that fosters personal growth. KLD offers both out-of-school programs and educational opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are slipping through the cracks of our public school systems.

While many youth’s lives have been uplifted by KLD’s services, the foundation aims to continually develop and expand its offerings. Moving forward, KLD hopes to build a central campus that will provide innovative specialized education, career and lifestyle training, as well as a complete array of out-of-school activities, including community service outreach programs.

The realization of such a sprawling campus will support KLD’s mission to educate and empower young people. Affirming the foundation’s desire to create a safe and friendly environment that will build a sense of family and enrich the quality and potential of the lives of all who participate.

KLD FUTUREKLD FUTURE

Proposed Facilities andPrograms.KLD has come a long way, but our vision is to go much further in serving our at-risk students, as well as other youth and families throughout Brevard County. Our goal is to acquire property where we can develop a central campus, a school, dormitory, adminis-trative building and indoor and outdoor activ-ity facilities. This campus will provide innova-tive specialized education; career and lifestyle training; and a complete array of out-of-school activities (including community-service outreach projects).

We stand in-line with these life affirming preventive principles; to provide open space systems, create a safe friendly environment, maximize opportunities for physical activity, emphasize social networks and build a sense of family legacy to enrich the quality of life for all who participate.

Our visionfor the future:

Learning Center (classrooms for grades K-12/vocational

training/technology center)

Social Center (including learning lab, computer center, food court, internet

café, arcade/video game room, Christian retail store, and radio/TV studio)

Career Resource Center

Cafeteria and Culinary Training Center

Auditorium and Community Special Event Center

Gymnasium/Fitness Center

Sports and Recreation Areas to include Aquatic Center and Out-of-School CampsDaycare Center

Space for like service organizations and public/private partnerships

Provide dormitory living space forfull-time students

Provide daily out-of-school activitiesand family support

Provide vehicles to support theservices offered

• Brevard Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition• Wal-Mart• Universal Assoc• Stroupe Family• Eckerd Foundation• Bright House Network• Parrish Medical Center

• Brevard Community College• Christopher Burton Homes• Dr. James Elmer• Dr. Larry Nissen• Dr. Sara Switzer• Space Cost Marketing Group• Roger Boatman• Indian River Press• Learning RX• Ocean Partners• Rhonda Hinds, CPA• YMCA Titusville

PARTNERSPARTNERS

DONORSDONORS

KLD Youth Foundation85 Richland Avenue

Merritt Island, Florida 32953

321-454-7333www.kldkids.orginfo@kldkids.org