Thanks to everyone who helped make the Benefit Battle a success! We had break dancers from Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, Mississippi and Alabama compete to help raise money for Tribe One. We also highlighted the recent work of the kids from our After School Program.

Ending the last week of CDF Freedom Schools hasn’t been anything but success. It’s the growth of the children in the community that is breath-taking. For six weeks, scholars and staff went through Team Dynamics (Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing) to see that success. Servant Leaders engaged the scholars with the Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC) that ensure that they really can make a difference in their: Selves, Families, Communities, Country, and World, with Hope, Education, and Action!

Looking back to week one and two, some scholars have developed an increase in self-esteem. It is amazing how CDF Freedom Schools generates positive attitudes through reading, and not only that, but through Nutrition, Health, and Mental Health. Scholars have learned to trust the Servant Leaders and staff and have created a bond that let’s them know they are safe here at Tribe One CDF Freedom Schools. For those scholars who disliked reading; they began to love reading, and for those who liked reading; they developed an enhanced appreciation.

This is a poem written by one of the level 2 (3rd through 5th graders) Tribe One CDF Freedom Schools classrooms. It was separately written by ten scholars about their hopes and dreams and then combined into one poem:

Dreams

Can dreams come true?
Well a dream is a wish…
A wish your heart makes…

I want the ball to make the hoop
I want to tackle all obstacles
I want my hands… These hands to tell stories

I want my life to reveal itself through Art
I want to help my community with the skills I learn
I want my power to conquer ALL

I want the crowd to scream my name
I want my caring nature to be contagious
I want my lyrics to bring joy

I want my love to spread to all species of life
I want my knowledge to create new things
I want to teach others the lessons I have learned.

… Because I have a Dream!

Our scholars have talent they didn’t even know they had! Throughout the six weeks, scholars have been engaged in Enrichment Activities that range from sports, media, dance, gardening, and learning leadership through motion. This is not just a summer program; it’s a movement. This is a movement to better our selves, our community, our country, and our world. Our scholars and staff refuse to let statistics against us beat us.

“Most young people are trying to go to school, trying to do right and trying to live by the rules. They’re beating the odds every day. We celebrate them. We train them. And despite the obstacles, they’re staying in school, they’re going on, and they’re trying to give back to their community.”

President, Children’s Defense Fund

Hello Everyone!

How exciting! This is our first official blog on our new website. So many things have been happening around Tribe One this spring it's hard to know where to start. I guess it's proper to start by introducing ourselves (for those of you who don't really know us yet).

Tribe One is a non-profit organization that has been serving the Knoxville, TN, community for over 19 years. Our mission is to prepare underserved youth for active citizenship in their city through spiritual mentoring, entrepreneurial training, civic engagement, and education within a supportive community. We have taken a very comprehensive and holistic approach to our programming model, and in so doing have found great success! We continually strive to create the most effective avenues through which we can motivate and activate our youth toward their own strengths and success. Our activities are dynamic and really exciting. Please take a moment to look at our website to find out more about our idea, Our Work, and Our World.

This month has marked a lot of changes for Tribe One in every aspect. Earlier this month, we launched our website and our facebook fan page! We couldn't be more excited about these things because it has given us the opportunity to reach out to our community, and garner support, in ways we've never done before. On May, 8th we hosted a community wide service day. Over 30 volunteers showed up to help clean, paint, and work in our urban garden.

A lot of the boys from our Man Up group showed up to help clear out or garage and clean up the parking lot outside our building.

It's so exciting to see our building transform before our eyes, and the most wonderful part about it for us is the support we've had along the way! With lots of help, we've been able to get 10 rooms cleaned, plastered, and painted; our hardwork floors have been restored; and thanks to the gracious people at Dixie Kitchens and Broadway Carpets, we've gotten new flooring and cabinets in all of the bathrooms and our kitchen!

Lots of really exciting things are happening here and we love it that you are interested! Please follow our blog, follow our facebook, and get involved where you can!

Look for updates soon...