Our Boys Deserve Hope: Help Build The Academy of Kings

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My name is Matthew Dee, and I am the founder of The Academy of Kings. This program was born from a question that echoed loudly in my mind as a boy: "What is a man?"

I lost my father at an early age before I ever got a chance to know him. Growing up without him or a male role model, I stumbled forward, improvising my way through life, constantly looking for answers and for a purpose that seemed just out of reach. It led me down a path of dark thoughts born out of desperation.

Today, you can see that same struggle in so many of our young men. When the weight of that struggle becomes too great we see them slip through the cracks. They turn to gangs to have a place to belong, drugs to forget their problems, they become disengaged in the home, in school, and in society.

I refuse to stand by and watch another generation of boys struggle as I did. How many of our young men do we have to incarcerate or bury before we act?

That is why I created The Academy of Kings, a mentoring program for young men designed to give them male role-models to help them understand and navigate manhood, leadership, and service. We provide essential training in character building, scholastic excellence, and community involvement. But most importantly to give them the answers and the community to bring their life abundance and fulfilment.

Our Mission and a Call for Your Help

The Academy of Kings is more than just a program; it's a promise to our boys that they will have the support to realize their goals and become pillars who uplift their families and communities.

I've been working on this program with little help from others. I've spent my own money to provide the tools, paperwork, food, and study materials the boys that have attended. Even doing this it's hard to grow the program. Parents want a consistent and permanent location where they know their boys will be safe and secure. Although I've borrowed spaces, they're availability and time intervals are inconsistent. I've seen it work and I know the boys like it. Which is why this exists

That's why I'm sending up the S.O.S.(Save our Sons) We are launching this GoFundMe with a goal of $50,000 to both deliver high-quality programming and secure a stable, safe location.

How Your Donation Will Support a King:

Your contribution will directly fund the core components of our academy:

Administrative Fees: $5,000

This will keep up is compliance by covering Legal Fees, Licensure, office supplies, etc.

Educational Materials & Technology: $8,000

This will provide each young man with workbooks, journals, and access to technology and tools for academic support and skill development.

Mentorship & Workshop Programs: $5,000

Funding to bring in respected community leaders and professionals to teach our young men valuable life skills like financial literacy, public speaking, and civic engagement.

Community Service Projects: $4,000

Direct funding for supplies and logistics so our members can design and lead projects that make a tangible difference in our neighborhoods.

Meals & Nutrition: $4,000

This covers nutritious meals and snacks during our sessions. A young man with a full stomach is a young man ready to learn.

Experiential Learning: $2,000

Funding for transportation and admission to take our young men on college tours, visits to local businesses, and cultural institutions.

Venue & Utilities Contribution: $12,000

For the Rent and Maintenance of the utilized space and facilities

General Liability Insurance: $3,000

A non-negotiable cost to ensure the safety and protection of our participants, volunteers, and the organization itself.

Program Staff Stipend (50% of Salary): $7,000

This covers the portion of the Program Coordinator's time spent directly mentoring, teaching, and managing program activities.

Please, join me in this mission. Help us build a generation of strong, compassionate, and engaged men. Your support, no matter the amount, is an investment in our sons, our brothers, and the future of our entire community.

If you cannot donate, please consider sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and social networks.

Thank you for believing in our boys.

With deepest gratitude,

Matthew Dee

Founder, The Academy of Kings

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