As we reflect on the past year, we are deeply grateful for the leadership, support and commitment of our board members, Mayor Deegan’s administration, City Council members, community partners and staff. Each of your contributions has enabled Kids Hope Alliance (KHA) to serve our city’s youth and families as outlined in this report.
Led by a vision to ensure every child reaches his or her academic, career, and civic potential, we have expanded and strengthened numerous programs and services that are integral to improving lives and communities. KHA’s literacy-rich after-school and summer programs have grown, expanding the availability and reach of literacy instruction, meals, fitness activities, and enrichment opportunities that contribute to academic success and well-being. In addition, a new initiative was launched that offers transportation, case management, and other non-covered wraparound services that are essential to ensuring children receive quality care. We also introduced a number of early learning initiatives, and increased access to diverse and enriching cultural experiences for nearly 4,000 youth, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and personal growth opportunities.
These milestones are a direct result of the collective efforts, collaborative spirit and feedback of our stakeholders helping us build and ensure access to a continuum of comprehensive and integrated programs, services, and activities that address the critical needs of children and youth.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. We are excited about our future and your shared commitment to building brighter futures for our youth.
With gratitude,
Marsha G. Oliver Board Chair
Dr. Saralyn Grass Chief Executive Officer
DEAR CITIZENS,
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
DONNA DEEGAN
MAYOR
As Mayor of Jacksonville, I am excited to share updates on our work with Kids Hope Alliance (KHA) as we build pathways to a brighter future for all Jacksonville’s children and families. This year, we launched two important initiatives—the Mayor’s Literacy Challenge and an expansion of the Mayor’s Youth at Work Partnership—that directly support our city’s commitment to education and workforce development.
Dear Citizens,
The Mayor’s Literacy Challenge is a funding initiative aimed at addressing literacy gaps throughout Jacksonville. We recognize that literacy is a foundational skill that impacts every aspect of life— from educational success to economic opportunity. To support literacy improvement citywide, we invested in software that will track the reading habits of Jacksonville citizens, helping us understand where our efforts are most needed. Additionally, a comprehensive marketing plan will increase awareness about the literacy gap and share resources that are available across the city.
As the Mayor of Jacksonville, my goal is to continue to provide Kids Hope Alliance (KHA) with the financial resources and local partnerships needed to exceed our City’s aspirations for a safe and successful future for the youth and families in our community. The Kids Hope Alliance plays a critical role in ensuring the youth and families of Jacksonville have the tools to survive and thrive, which is why it is so important to support this wonderful organization.
As part of this effort, a bookmobile will be deployed to underserved areas, providing access to books for children who may not have convenient access to libraries. Our commitment to literacy is a promise to all our young people that they deserve every opportunity to succeed.
My administration is being proactive regarding the creation of additional safe spaces for Jacksonville’s kids to play and opportunities to engage young minds. The current budget provides an additional $5 million dollars to expand the number of facilities that service our youth through the Kids Hope Alliance, which will increase the reach and effectiveness of their efforts.
The Mayor’s Youth at Work Partnership is another crucial investment in Jacksonville’s future. This program has already demonstrated success by providing year-round paid internships for up to 300 students. With additional funding, we expanded this program to reach 300 more youth in our summer jobs initiative. Through the support of KHA and organizations like Goodwill, these students will gain valuable work experience, learn new skills, and develop a stronger sense of civic responsibility. By helping prepare our young people for future careers, we are not only shaping our city’s workforce but also ensuring that every young person has a path to success.
This past year, more than 140 programs that are provided by local afterschool; summer; juvenile justice prevention and intervention; special needs; pre-teen and teen initiatives; and leadership community organizations stepped up to enhance the efforts of the Duval County Public School system in this area.
Through Kids Hope Alliance, we are also launching a major literacy initiative in 2024 to encourage all children and families to make reading a priority. When 70% of the people in our jail cannot read at a fourth-grade level, it’s clear there is an undeniable link between literacy, success, and quality of life. The City’s partnership with the Kids Hope Alliance is an extremely important building block as we look to a re-imagined and reinvigorated Jacksonville Journey with a citywide focus on literacy.
I am immensely proud of these programs and of the progress we are making together. Through the continued efforts of Kids Hope Alliance, City Council, and our community partners, we are creating a city where every child and young adult has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Thank you for your support as we work together to make Jacksonville a place where every citizen— especially our youngest—can reach their full potential.
I am very excited to continue to work with the talented staff and Board of Directors of Kids Hope Alliance to build excitement around and create opportunities for the future of all citizens of Jacksonville – especially the youngest ones.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Donna Deegan Mayor
Donna Deegan Mayor of Jacksonville
IM PACTS
How is one early learning childcare business planning to create over $500,000 in funding over the next 5 years? By obtaining the Florida Gold Seal through Kid’s Hope Alliance (KHA) / Business Leadership Institute for Early Learning (BLI) Master Class & Accreditation Academy. This program afforded America’s Little Leaders a 20% increase in their childcare tuition subsidy reimbursements, resulting in their ability to increase childcare workforce wages, from $20 to $24 per hour, as well as receiving $9,000 in property tax relief which has fueled their preschool expansion of two new classrooms.
“KHA / BLI provided us with an accreditation coach to support the rigorous process of obtaining the Florida Gold Seal. At the KHA’s / BLI Master Class, I learned how to run my business more efficiently and created a well thought out strategic plan that outlined the use of these new Gold Seal funds to impact the Northside Health Zone 1 children we serve.”
- ABBIE SANKS
Services like those offered at the DLC to special needs children are crucial in fostering their development, independence, and overall well-being. These specialized programs provide individualized education and therapeutic support, helping children overcome challenges and reach their full potential. Beyond academic growth, they offer a safe, nurturing environment where children build social skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Such services empower not only the students but also their families, ensuring that each child has the resources they need to thrive in their unique journey.
“For the past 17 years, Daniel has been blessed to be part of the Developmental Learning Center Inc. (DLC) family. From his earliest days, the caregivers at DLC have been instrumental in his growth and development. Without their kindness, patience, and incredible skill, Daniel would not be where he is today.“
- PARENTS OF DANIEL, DLC STUDENT
“We have come to depend heavily on DLC, not just for after-school care and summer camp, but also for the multiple therapies that Daniel needs to thrive. Every staff member, from the caregivers to the administrators, has Daniel’s best interests at heart. They have gone above and beyond to ensure he is nurtured, supported, and loved. We are forever grateful to DLC for the love and care Daniel has received throughout his life. They are not just a care facility—they are a true family, and we could not imagine Daniel’s journey without them.”
Don’t Miss A Beat Inc. has been helping more than 20,000 kids and young adults find their rhythm since 2008. At Don’t Miss A Beat our mission is to enlighten and activate kids through musical theater production and community engagement. We are different because through heart, arts and community, we promise to activate life-changing experiences.
“If you want to see your kid growing not only in the arts, but also as a person, this is the program. Not only those kids participating in this program, but also for the families. You can feel it, you can tell that they are doing this for love. They want to be better and better everyday in every single way. When Bella joined Don’t Miss A Beat, Inc., she looked forward every single day to coming here, just because she loved it so much.” - RICHARDO DOYLET - ISABELLA’S DAD
LITERACY-ENHANCED AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS
2023-2024 IMPACT
Launched in 2023, the literacy-enhanced afterschool model was designed to improve student success by providing case management, literacy tutoring, afterschool programming, and family engagement. During the 2023-2024 school year, eight schools participated in the first full year of implementation. Communities In Schools of Jacksonville and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida were selected to operate four schools each, delivering targeted support to students and families.
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS
Communities In Schools of Jacksonville provided wraparound services to over 300 students. Case managers helped families address challenges such as food insecurity, housing stability, and school attendance, ensuring students had the support they needed to focus on learning. Literacy tutors worked with students individually and in small groups to strengthen reading skills. The afterschool program combined academic support from certified teachers with enrichment activities, including robotics, music, leadership development, and sports. Parent engagement was a key focus, with monthly events offering families resources and opportunities to be active participants in their child’s education. By the end of the school year, nearly all students were promoted to the next grade, the majority improved their reading scores, and attendance and behavior showed significant progress.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida prioritized literacy growth through structured interventions and teacher development. By the end of the school year, three of the four schools saw an increase in reading proficiency, with one school achieving a 14% improvement. A structured literacy curriculum helped students reading below grade level gain the skills needed to close learning gaps. Teachers participated in professional development to enhance instructional strategies and better support struggling readers. Students were also given creative opportunities to engage with literacy, including writing and publishing their own books, which they shared at community events. Family engagement initiatives encouraged parents to reinforce literacy at home through projects like a collaborative cultural cookbook and workshops on the connection between attendance and academic success.
The first year of implementation demonstrated measurable gains in literacy, student engagement, and family participation. These results lay the groundwork for continued success and expansion of the model in the years ahead.
8,645
Afterschool Slots
4,630
12,320 Hours spent coaching Early Learning providers to improve program quality
Youth on summer field trips/art initiatives
199
Youth that traveled using Youth Travel Trust Funding
5,442
307 Care Coordination Referrals by Angel Kids Foundation, Inc
Participants who received TBRI Training
FUNDED PROVIDERS
PROVIDERS AWARDED $3M+
• Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Northeast Florida, Inc.
• Communities in Schools of Jacksonville, Inc.
• Early Learning Coalition of Duval, Inc.
• United Way of Northeast Florida, Inc.
PROVIDERS AWARDED
$750,000-3M
• Goodwill Industries of North Florida, Inc.
• Managed Access to Child Health, Inc.
• Police Athletic League of Jacksonville, Inc.
• Read USA, Inc.
• Teen Leaders of America, Inc.
• The Children’s Home Society of Florida
• The Young Men’s Christian Association of Florida’s First Coast, Inc.
• University of North Florida
• Wayman Community Development Corporation
PROVIDERS AWARDED
$200,000-750,000
• Angel Kids Foundation, Inc.
• Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of NE FL, Inc.- Nutrition Services Program
• Business Leadership Institute for Early Learning, Inc.
• Cathedral Arts Project, Inc.
• Center for Children’s Rights, Inc.
• City of Jacksonville, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department
• City Year, Inc.
• Developmental Learning Center, Inc.
• Don’t Miss a Beat, Inc.
• Families of Slain Children of Jacksonville, Florida, Inc.
• Family Support Services of North Florida, Inc
• Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ)
• Hope Street, Inc.
• Hope Haven Association, Inc.
• I’m A Star Foundation, Inc.
• Jacksonville Arts & Music School, Inc.
• Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Inc.
• Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center, Inc.
• Krumpin’ 4 Success, Inc.
• Lutheran Services Florida, Inc.
• MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation, Inc.
• North FL Educational Institute Corp.
• The Carpenter’s Shop Center, Inc.
• The Jacksonville Zoological Society, Inc.
• The Performer’s Academy, Inc.
• The Potter’s House Christian Fellowship, Inc.
• TRUE Youth Association, Inc.
• Youth Crisis Center, Inc.
PROVIDERS AWARDED
$65,000-200,000
• 100 Black Men of Jacksonville, Florida, Inc.
• Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church Ministries, Inc.
• America’s Little Leaders, Inc.
• AnnieRuth Foundation, Inc.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida, Inc.
• Children’s Forum, Inc.
• Cornerstone of Jacksonville, Inc.
• Daniel Memorial, Inc.
• Dayspring Outreach Ministries, Inc.
• Edward Waters College, Inc.
• Elevate Jacksonville, Inc.
• Ferst Readers, Inc.
• Fresh Ministries, Inc.
• Fresh Word Ministries, Inc.
• Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, Inc.
• Groundwork Jacksonville, Inc.
• Hope At Hand, Inc.
• I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, Inc.
• Jacksonville Science Festival, Inc.
• Jewish Family & Community Services, Inc.
• Joshua Christian Academy, Inc.
• KIPP Jacksonville, Inc.
• Kreative Success Academy, Inc.
• Made A Way Foundation, Inc.
• Master of Education, Inc.
• Minds of the Future Foundation, Inc.
• My Village Project, Inc.
• New Heights of Northeast Florida, Inc.
• Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.
• Operation Save Our Sons, Inc.
• Pace Center for Girls, Inc.
• Pearls of Perfection, Inc.
• Poise, Inc.
• St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Inc.
• Step-by-Step 4 Help Foundation, Inc.
• Taylor Belle Foundation, Inc.
• The Allison Brundick Haramis Foundation, Inc. dba Angels for Allison
• The Chosen of God MKB Destined for Greatness Advocacy Svc, Inc.
• The First Coast Leadership Foundation of Jacksonville, Inc.
• The Foundation Academy Studio School, Inc.
• The Fourth Judicial Circuit Courts of Florida
• The Giving Closet Project, Inc.
• The Sanctuary of Northeast Florida
• Tiphne Darshay Hollis Foundation, Inc.
• Twin Oaks Juvenile Development, Inc.
• WJCT, Inc.
• West Jacksonville Restoration Center, Inc.
FUNDING SERVICES AREAS
Kids Hope Alliance (KHA) is a funding agent for the City of Jacksonville. KHA invests millions annually in children's and youth programs and services in Duval County, simultaneously managing their implementation and monitoring their outcomes. Through the funding of third-party providers and strategic partnerships with local non-profit organizations, KHA is working to ensure thousands of athope children and youth have access to a continuum of critical services, including academics, enrichment, nutrition, and mental health. KHA provides services in every Duval County Public School as well as Charter schools. This is an addition to the hundreds of programs serving children, youth and families at community centers, doctor's offices and in their homes.
$7,234,776Learning
$3,470,169
$5,151,552
$9,331,303
KHA MISSION: To build and facilitate access to a continuum of comprehensive and integrated programs, services, and activities that address the critical needs of children, youth, and their families.
KHA VISION: An environment where every child can reach their academic, career and civic potential.
