08/14/2026
The last few weeks at AKZ are a little hard to put into words. 👀
It’s been a LOT. 😅
But now that we’ve had a chance to slow down and look back at it all, we’re not sure there are words to express how grateful we are. 🥹
Y’all have shown up for us, our kids, their families, and neighbors, in a way we never expected. You shared kind words, told your own stories about AKZ, encouraged others to support the good work we’re all doing, AND you gave so generously (in just two days, we set a new record for first-time donors 😳😭👏🏼).
Meanwhile, we never slowed down. Life at AKZ kept moving, FULL speed ahead. 😂🫠
We’ll go more in-depth in other posts, but here’s a rundown of the last few weeks:
😎 We wrapped up Summer Enrichment for our kids and our NINTH Summer Sizzler season.
🏡 Neighbors came together for another East End Love Your Neighborhood meeting.
📚 We prepared for the 26-27 school year with some of our academic volunteers who are getting ready to work one-on-one with students at South Heights.
🎒 We spent time with our neighbors at the Health First Block Party and South Heights’ Rock the Block event.
🚓 We were incredibly honored to receive a generous donation from our friends at 911 Gives Hope, an organization made up of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics who are committed to improving the lives of children right here in our community. Their heart for caring for kids and families makes their investment in AKZ especially meaningful to us, and we are so grateful they chose to include our kids in the incredible work they do. 🧡
And somewhere in the middle of ALL of that, some of our staff got to spend two days together at the Global Leadership Summit at One Life Church.
We have to pause and give this one a little extra appreciation: how lucky are we to get to work for an organization that invests in our team, gives us opportunities to learn, grow, think bigger, and get better at the work we do every day? 🥹❤️
And maybe that’s the word that ties these crazy few weeks together: Investment.
➡You invested your money in AKZ.
➡Volunteers invested their time.
➡Community partners invested their resources.
➡AKZ invested in its people.
➡And together, we’re doing the work that will unlock a brighter future (a little foreshadowing, for ya 😉👀), not just for the kids we serve today, but for the generations coming behind them.
So yes, the last few weeks have been a little wild 🤪 but they’ve reminded us more than anything how lucky we are to do this work in a community full of people who are always willing to show up for one another.
So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Thank you for standing with us, for believing in us, and for making a difference that reaches far beyond today. We’re so grateful for each and every one of you. 🧡
