Alternative School Of Knowledge
Shakeel Ali, (revolutionary educator, social entrepreneur, conscious entertainer, gun violence survivor), and Amro Radwan, (technologist, social entrepreneur, youth mentor), met at Log Cabin Ranch Juvenile Detention Center while Shakeel was Director of Youth Development for a non-profit organization working to reduce the high recidivism rate of incarcerated youth.
Born and raised in San Francisco, Mr. Ali is familiar with the diverse needs and services available to Bay Area youth of varying socioeconomic backgrounds.
In 2004, along with previously incarcerated youth, they founded ASK Academy to utilize education, economics and entertainment in addressing critical issues such as high drop out rates, high incarceration rates, increased violent incidents in schools and women and children comprising the majority of the population under the poverty line.
On October 15, 2008 The Agape Foundation (federal tax ID number 23-7054694) agreed to serve as fiscal sponsor for A.S.K. Academy's educational and charitable work:
Mission:
Empowering teachers, youth development workers, and business owners in helping schools and surrounding communities create safe and welcoming environments that support Equitable Learning and Social Justice.
Vision:
To transform the educational, juvenile justice, and foster care systems utilizing discussions and trainings on the use of collaborative processes for planning and problem solving.
Ask Academy works to:
1. Bridge the digital divide between affluent communities and underserved populations.
2. Provide leadership trainings for youth and adults working to improve social institutions.
3. Produce public events: including, music concerts, film festivals, Internet radio, You Tube channels, and public television.
ASK Academy integrates capital, technology and information across California and nationwide by getting computers, digital equipment, educational software, and live leadership training to schools, Juvenile detention centers, Foster Homes & Community based organizations/non-profits.
The Agape Foundation for Non-violent Social Change works to:
* Improve the delivery of services to the underserved
* Expand assistance to underserved segments of the population
* Facilitate access to the democratic process for marginalized populations
* Advocate on behalf of underserved populations
* Mobilize underserved communities to secure necessary services or assistance
ASK Academy Societal Implications:
ASK Academy promotes programs and services that lead to a healthy environment for all. We work to improve educational and economic opportunities for low-income youth. The results are more options, and less poverty, which leads to less crime such as theft, homicide, and drug abuse.
Systemic Efforts: We combine the best practices of education, youth development, and workforce development, in order to guide all students toward success. This is accomplished through staff development trainings and youth development trainings. Utilizing discussion, interactive games and activities, video clips, and hand-outs, all community stakeholders learn to expand the use of collaborative processes for planning and problem solving. We provide a vehicle for individuals and communities to maximize their abilities and make beneficial contributions to humanity.
We conduct computer based and live leadership trainings, which enable youth and educators to tease out learning issues, from behavior issues, from cultural issues, from health issues, and to address each of them with a combination of technical skill and emotional intelligence.
Recent Accomplishments:
• ASK Academy received Donor Database donation from salesforce.com valued at $15,000.
• We implemented Ripple Effects software and training into the Bayshore School District in Daly City.
• ASK youth and Shakeel Ali’s Administrative Assistant Betty Meng completed 2nd full year at U.C. Berkeley, Haas School of Business.
• ASK Youth Council Spokesperson Roan Holman completed Junior year at U.C. Davis majoring in Managerial Economics.
• Trained over 100 volunteer mentors.
• Trained 20 youth at Youth Chance High school as Youth Council Peer Leaders.
• Provided group mentoring to 185 youth from all SFUSD schools.
• Provided group mentoring for 20 teachers and counselors at USF Upward Bound.
Selected Past Accomplishments:
· Panelist at the West Coast Regional Meeting of Community Justice Network for Youth. "Stop The Rail to Jail" addressed the need to keep young people in underserved communities from ending up in juvenile detention centers.
· Performed at the end the War Rally at Dolores Park
· Conducted Leadership Training for University of San Francisco Foreword Program participants
· Created a Youth Employment Coalition "Youth Job Needs" movie
· One of the Youth Council members got a job at Ripple Effects office and was offered an internship with B.A.R.T.
· We got one of the Youth Council members into Upward Bound. She was struggling in school
. A.S.K. Founder is one of the founding members of Oasis High School In Oakland California.
· For 3 years we have shared these valuable tools and techniques with the staff and teen girls at 3 Foster Care Homes in Union City, Fremont, and San Bruno.
. Founder nominated for USF California Community Service Award.
. Founder nominated for Jefferson Awards