Enrichment
SKJAJA empowers young people to grow into the best versions of themselves. We do this by removing cost barriers to extracurricular activities and providing scholarships to young people so they can explore their interests, discover their passions, and ignite their sparks.
SKJAJA is dedicated to supporting children from historically marginalized communities. As a local organization, we work closely with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and community partners to provide access to high quality, out-of-school enrichment activities for students grades K-12. Over the years, scholarships from SKJAJA have provided over 1,000 young people the benefits of extracurricular engagement.
Service-Learning
In addition to providing access to extracurricular activities, SKJAJA provides opportunities for young people to connect with the world outside themselves through service. By engaging in individual and group service learning projects, SKJAJA youth and students throughout Chapel-Hill Carrboro harness their world changing aspirations to build compassion, connection and stronger communities.
SKJAJA Clubs
“Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Most Chapel Hill-Carrboro high schools have a SKJAJA Club. The purpose of SKJAJA Clubs is to build community through service, and all students grades 9-12 are welcome. Clubs organize and participate in service projects throughout the year, providing students important social and community connection, collaboration skills and servant leadership opportunities. Clubs are guided by a teacher/mentor and co-led by SKJAJA students.
PLAY it Forward
Joining a school band or orchestra can be expensive. SKJAJA ensures that cost is never a barrier for a student who wants to follow their musical journey.
Throughout the school year, PLAY It Forward collaborates with school band and orchestra teachers to ensure every student is paired with the right instrument to enjoy their musical learning, at no cost to families. We do this by collecting previously owned band and orchestra instruments from the community and refurbishing, repairing and cleaning them so they’re ready for use.
SKJAJA's PLAY it Forward program is always looking for orchestra and band instruments. Members of the community are invited to donate band and orchestra instruments they no longer need. Monetary donations to SKJAJA also help support instrument repair.
Chapel Hill High School Teacher