UPDATES

Our mission: To create a place like no other for our youth that will give kids fun, exciting & educational activities to do during out of school time; these activities will discourage them from getting involved in trouble and inspire them to dream big & achieve all of their goals & aspirations.

Founded in October 2017, Wilson's Rising Stars Youth Academy was created to provide a haven for the youth of Jacksonville, Florida, during out-of-school hours. In the face of challenging times for our city, we were driven by a deep sense of responsibility to guide our community’s children away from negative influences and violence. As I watched children in our community go down the wrong paths, I could not sit idle. The increasing violence and loss of young lives in our city compelled me to take action.

Founded in October 2017, Wilson's Rising Stars Youth Academy was created to provide a haven for the youth of Jacksonville, Florida, during out-of-school hours. In the face of challenging times for our city, we were driven by a deep sense of responsibility to guide our community’s children away from negative influences and violence. As I watched children in our community go down the wrong paths, I could not sit idle. The increasing violence and loss of young lives in our city compelled me to take action.nded in October 2017, Wilson's Rising Stars Youth Academy was created to provide a haven for the youth of Jacksonville, Florida, during out-of-school hours. In the face of challenging times for our city, we were driven by a deep sense of responsibility to guide our community’s children away from negative influences and violence. As I watched children in our community go down the wrong paths, I could not sit idle. The increasing violence and loss of young lives in our city compelled me to take action.

Our mission was to establish a safe, nurturing space where children could have fun, engage in sports, access computers, receive academic support, and more. Most importantly, we aimed to inspire them to dream big.

Since starting our first summer camp in 2018, we've successfully completed seven seasons of engaging and impactful programs, and this year marks our eighth. Over the past seven years, we've built a strong, trust-based relationship with our community. Our efforts have included not only summer camps but also five years of afterschool programs and numerous events tailored specifically to our youth.

We remain dedicated to creating memorable, enriching experiences for all children who join our programs, continuing to foster a supportive environment where dreams can flourish.

We are always looking for volunteers to help us make our vision a reality. We'll help you find a way to volunteer that best suits you.