Irie Foundation/ME Case Study
The journey of a lifetime begins with the first step. It is the aim of the Irie Foundation’s Board to ensure that the first step is one that an under-served, under-resourced, capable and motivated young person can make confidently. With the right support, we can enable them to fulfill the education of their mind and the nourishment of their spirit through mentoring programs, musical and cultural experiences, and scholarship opportunities.
Since mid-2012, the Irie Foundation has played a vital role in supporting The Motivational Edge’s efforts. Through their generous contributions, Irie and his team have provided a safe haven for many inner city youth, affording them a platform for positive self-expression and helping them excel both in and out of school. Irie’s investment in this creative hub has breathed new life into the Allapattah community, which will feel the positive impact for years to come.
Results
(Note: AMLC closed its doors on April 30th, 2017 due to end of building lease)
Since IF’s naming rights started in July of 2014, there have been a total of 285 students served through dozens of programs at AMLC and a total of 60 youth served through 7 programs at iTECH @ Thomas A. Edison High School. As a direct result of our programming, the following has been documented:
- Youth increased in Positive Peer Relationships 95%
- Youth increased their Arts Aptitude 97%
- Youth offered culturally relevant arts programming, academics and/or technology courses 100%
- Youth increased their academic grades 90%
Additional Info on Allapattah Music Literacy Center:
AMLC served as field trip site, providing day programs to many kids from partnering agencies and homeschool networks, as well as being used as a site for workshops/learning experiences.
AMLC partnered as a mentor site with Dade County Juvenile Services.
AMLC served as creative arts space for youth in foster care, teenage girls who have been victimized by human trafficking, juvenile delinquent teens and homeless youth.
A mentoring program for teens provided regular assistance and mentorship; youth also had access to our in-house therapist.
Scholarship opportunities: we have presented two scholarships to Berklee College of Music, among others. AMLC provided an out-of-school safe haven, with continuous programming including on weekends, spring and summer breaks. Youth have had the opportunity to present showcases throughout the year, almost on a monthly basis, at locations such as the South Dade Cultural Arts Center, the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater, Art Basel, The Stage Miami, McCormick Place, the Chop House, Little Haiti Cultural Arts Center, Bayfront Park, and various other cultural arts facilities and locations throughout South Florida.
Youth at AMLC have participated in a variety of programs including: Health and Wellness, Literacy, Yoga, Financial Literacy.
About The Irie Foundation
In July 2014, The Motivational Edge’s Allapattah Music and Literacy Center was renamed The Irie Foundation Allapattah Music and Literacy Center. For 2+ successful years of partnership, the Irie Foundation has funded music, arts, and academic programming offered to under-resourced youth from Allapattah and the surrounding areas of Brownsville and Liberty City. DJ Irie and his Irie Foundation understand that the arts play a fundamental role in well-rounded educational experiences for children, leading to increased self-confidence, motivation to learn, tolerance of others, and countless additional benefits.
The journey of a lifetime begins with the first step. It is the aim of the Irie Foundation’s Board to ensure that the first step is one that an under-served, under-resourced, capable and motivated young person can make confidently. With the right support, we can enable them to fulfill the education of their mind and the nourishment of their spirit through mentoring programs, musical and cultural experiences, and scholarship opportunities.
During the 2015-16 school year, The Motivational Edge and the Irie Foundation teamed up to launch programming at iTECH @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center. Irie Rhythms Percussion Program was born, partnering with The Edge’s Lyrical Expression, audio recording, piano and guitar classes to pave the way toward a program that has transformed dozens of teenage lives.
Since mid-2012, the Irie Foundation has played a vital role in supporting The Motivational Edge’s efforts. Through their generous contributions, Irie and his team have provided a safe haven for many inner city youth, affording them a platform for positive self-expression and helping them excel both in and out of school. Irie’s investment in this creative hub has breathed new life into the Allapattah community, which will feel the positive impact for years to come.
We are building the foundation for our future Leaders of society, and we are proud to have made this first step in the journey of self-improvement for our young people of South Florida.
– DJ Irie
Results
(Note: AMLC closed its doors on April 30th, 2017 due to end of building lease)
Since IF’s naming rights started in July of 2014, there have been a total of 285 students served through dozens of programs at AMLC and a total of 60 youth served through 7 programs at iTECH @ Thomas A. Edison High School. As a direct result of our programming, the following has been documented:
Youth increased in Positive Peer Relationships95%
Youth increased their Arts Aptitude97%
Youth offered culturally relevant arts programming, academics and/or technology courses100%
Youth increased their academic grades90%
Additional Info on Allapattah Music Literacy Center:
AMLC served as field trip site, providing day programs to many kids from partnering agencies and homeschool networks, as well as being used as a site for workshops/learning experiences.
AMLC partnered as a mentor site with Dade County Juvenile Services.
AMLC served as creative arts space for youth in foster care, teenage girls who have been victimized by human trafficking, juvenile delinquent teens and homeless youth.
A mentoring program for teens provided regular assistance and mentorship; youth also had access to our in-house therapist.
Scholarship opportunities: we have presented two scholarships to Berklee College of Music, among others. AMLC provided an out-of-school safe haven, with continuous programming including on weekends, spring and summer breaks. Youth have had the opportunity to present showcases throughout the year, almost on a monthly basis, at locations such as the South Dade Cultural Arts Center, the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater, Art Basel, The Stage Miami, McCormick Place, the Chop House, Little Haiti Cultural Arts Center, Bayfront Park, and various other cultural arts facilities and locations throughout South Florida.
Youth at AMLC have participated in a variety of programs including: Health and Wellness, Literacy, Yoga, Financial Literacy.
About The Irie Foundation
The Irie Foundation seeks to empower South Florida’s at-risk youth to lead productive lives through mentorship programs, cultural experiences and scholarship opportunities. By following the young people it serves from middle school through high school, the Foundation’s ultimate goal is to inspire and encourage its students to graduate high school, pursue higher education and develop into successful adults. For more information, visit www.iriefoundation.org.