AMIkids

08/17/2026

Great school years are built on strong foundations. Featured here are just a few moments from our programs across the U.S. as they officially gear up for the year ahead, opening doors to hands-on learning, setting new personal goals, and creating opportunities for students to learn, grow, and feel empowered.

We’re wishing all of our students, teachers, and staff across the country a safe, supportive, and successful school year!

08/14/2026

We are so proud of AMIKids Maritime Academy for being named a 2026 Yass Prize contender out of nearly 3,000 applicants nationwide! This incredible recognition highlights the power of hands-on, experiential learning in empowering students to reach their full potential.

08/14/2026

What you’re seeing in this video is youth empowerment and marine conservation in real time.

In our recent restoration effort, youth from AMIkids Tampa and AMIkids Polk built and planted 4,800 seagrass units (Halodule wrightii)—restoring an entire acre of vital habitat in Old Tampa Bay in just 3 hours! Through hands-on STEM learning, these young leaders gained real-world conservation skills while helping rebuild Florida's coastal ecosystems.

Impact from Our Latest Effort:
• 120 Hours of hands-on experiential education across 12 youth
• 4,800 Planting Units built & 1 acre restored
• 265 Volunteer Hours logged alongside 11 partner organizations
• $50,000+ in ongoing support from Aquatech Eco Consultants and the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay

A huge thank you to our dedicated staff, generous supporters, and community volunteers who rolled up their sleeves alongside our kids to make this experience so impactful!

This Work is Ongoing. Join Us in Tampa Bay:
This last project was just one step in our long-term mission. We are continually building, planting, and expanding our seagrass restoration efforts across Tampa Bay and we need our community on the water with us.

If you’re in the Tampa area and want to volunteer at an upcoming build day, we’d love to have you!

08/13/2026

School readiness is about more than just textbooks and backpacks; it’s about giving our youth the emotional tools, confidence, and support systems they need to navigate the school year ahead.

Swipe through our AMIkids Family Guide for 3 simple ways you can help a young person feel supported, curious, and ready to thrive:

1️⃣ Bring a little calm to your day: Practice managing big feelings with small breaks, deep breaths, or outdoor walks.
2️⃣ Make room for curiosity: Encourage hands-on discovery and active learning outside the classroom.
3️⃣ Let them know you're in their corner: Build strong support networks through distraction-free quality time.

Caregivers: Give yourself a few more tools! 🧡
You don't have to have all the answers, you just need to know where to start. We are offering FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training and youth mental health screenings to help you recognize early signs of distress, start meaningful conversations, and guide young people with confidence.

Sign up for a Youth Mental Health Screening & YMHFA Training here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YMHFA2026

Save this post for back-to-school inspiration, and share it with a caregiver or mentor who could use it today!

08/11/2026

Taking summer confidence right into the classroom this week!

Revisiting clips from our recent Summer Challenge! Before heading out into open water, our kids mastered their gear and safety protocols first. That same focus and self-belief will guide them through the new school year.

Support youth potential year-round: amikids.org/get-involved

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08/04/2026

A new school year brings new opportunities, new friendships, and new challenges for young people.

What if you had the tools to recognize when a child or teen may be struggling and the confidence to know how to help?
Our FREE Virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training gives parents, teachers, law enforcement professionals, healthcare providers, coaches, mentors, and caring adults the skills to better support young people ages 6–18.

During this interactive virtual training, you’ll learn how to:
• Recognize signs of mental health challenges and potential crises
• Start supportive conversations with youth
• Listen with compassion and without judgment
• Connect young people with the right resources and support

💙 August and September classes are now open!

Whether you’re a parent preparing for the school year, a professional who works with youth, or someone who wants to make a difference in your community, this free training provides practical tools you can use when young people need support most.
Give yourself the knowledge and confidence to make a difference.

Click the link below to register today!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YMHFA2026

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08/04/2026

A recent feature by the Tampa Bay Times highlights how our youth at AMIkids are restoring vital seagrass habitats in Tampa Bay while building real-world workforce skills in marine conservation.

This restoration activity was possible because of our partnership with AquaTech Eco Consultants and Ecosphere Restoration Inst. Although they're not mentioned in the article, their support was instrumental in completing this project.

Read the full story to see how hands-on environmental stewardship is creating lasting change for both our coastal ecosystems and our young leaders:

How AMIkids restores seagrass in Tampa Bay, rebuilding habitats and futures | Link in comments ⬇️

07/31/2026

“Scuba diving in the deep sea was terrifying at first, but I pushed through my fear and discovered a whole new world. AMIkids has taught me that I can handle anything life throws at me.”

Visit amikids.org/get-involved to learn more about our national programs or make a donation that empowers a young life today!

07/30/2026

AMIkids. Empowering young people to believe I Can.

AMIkids is a national youth organization that empowers young people to discover their life paths and believe that success is possible. They don’t give up, so we don’t give up. We stick with them. We foster relationships, care, and a sense of family. And we provide structure

Our Personal Growth Model is a proven success: tying together education and workforce development, treatment, and behavior and skills training. Our programs have an 80% success rate. Our approach offers more than education and workforce development, treatment, and behavioral and skills training.

Through genuine care, real relationships, and a sense of family, we empower young people to achieve their full potential.