H.Y.P.E Connections

Service Description

*The H.Y.P.E Connections registration fee is a one-time payment. Existing members do not need to renew* Formerly known as the Akoma Teens Club, H.Y.P.E Connections was created for teens and tweens to make friends and socialize. Club members plan their own activities and in-person gatherings according to their interests. Teens connect on the Akoma Teens private Discord server in between planned meetups. A great way for your teen to develop soft skills and build solid relationships! The private server has been designed to keep our students stay safe and secure. If you have any questions about the platform and its setup, please contact Shamay Oware, the club organizer and Facilitator for H.Y.P.E Connections at (803)470-4666 or via email Akomacares@akomacares.org. PLEASE NOTE: H.Y.P.E Connections is only as good as the teens make it. It’s encouraged that they join the Discord server to connect with their peers. This helps them become more comfortable with in-person meetups and allows them to share input on where, when, and how they want to connect with friends. Parents are welcome and encouraged to join the private server as moderators. The club registration fee is a one-time fee allowing your student(s) to stay members until age 17. All meetups are drop-off optional as long as the choice to do so is communicated by the parent to the organizer and club facilitator. For ages 12-17 ABOUT THE FACILITATOR: Shamay is a homeschooling mom of three with close to a decade of homeschooling experience. As the co-founder and executive director of Akoma Cares, she aims to empower melanated families worldwide by helping to foster safe spaces for Afro-centered education and the building of strong community. With an educational background in arts, human services, and Liberal Studies, she brings a diverse skillset to her work. Shamay's professional journey encompasses early child development, senior services, teen mentorship, lesson plan and curriculum development, personal training, and coaching. Outside of her professional endeavors, Shamay is a lover of the outdoors, and embraces her creative side through crafting. When not pursuing her interests, you can find her cherishing quality time spent with her family.

Cancellation Policy

SCHEDULING: Akoma Cares reserves the right to cancel classes, activities, and events and provide a full refund when minimum requirements are not met. PAYMENT AND CANCELLATIONS: Payment is due in full before the membership is active. Registrations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to class size limits. No refunds will be given for missed classes, activities, and events. COVID LIABILITY WAIVER: By signing this agreement, I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that I or my children may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by attending an Akoma Cares event, activity and/or class. Such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and/or death. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at the aforementioned event, activity and/or class may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, employees and other participants. I knowingly and freely assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to myself (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that I may experience or incur in connection with my attendance at an Akoma Cares event, class, and/or activity. (“Claims”). If I or my children are presenting any of the following symptoms of COVID-19 or if any of the following applies: 1. Fever, Shortness of Breath, Loss of Sense, Taste or Smell, Dry Cough, Runny Nose, Sore Throat. 2. Exposure, to your knowledge, to the COVID-19 virus. 3. Within the last 14 days, traveled outside of the country, I, the guardian must notify Akoma Cares immediately and refrain from attending an event, class and/or activity for 10 days starting from the date of incidences numbered above. PHOTO, VIDEO OR OTHER RECORDING CONSENT: By signing this form the parent/guardian gives consent to Akoma Cares to use images or filmed footage of events, activities and/or classes in printed materials or on the web for the purposes of promoting Akoma Cares events, activities and/or classes. Please note there is no compensation for the use of your child’s likeness in any of our materials. MEDICAL CONSENT: By signing this form the parent/guardian/student permits for medical treatment to be administered to the student by a qualified medical professional in the event of an emergency.

Contact Details