As students across the country prepare for another school year, community-based programs like Center 360 are stepping in to provide critical year-round support well beyond the classroom. Founded in 2015 by Akeilah and Keisha Hamilton-Stewart, Center 360 is a Charlotte-based nonprofit that empowers middle school students who are at risk of disengaging from school. Over the past decade, it has become a lifeline for families and a launchpad for youth discovering their unique strengths and career potential.
A Mission Rooted in Purpose
“We work with youth in grades five through eight,” says Executive Director Akeilah Hamilton-Stewart, “and our goal is to connect them to career pathways aligned with their natural gifts.”
Center 360’s approach is anything but traditional. Rather than focusing solely on academics, the organization takes a holistic view addressing emotional well-being, life skills, and career exploration through hands-on experiences. Students are exposed to career exploration options like culinary arts, the construction trades and technology. This gives them an expanse of career alternatives, as opposed to narrow dreams of becoming professional athletes or social media influencers.
Sustaining Impact in a Challenging Landscape
Like many grassroots organizations, Center 360 has been forced to accept some change in response to budget cuts, particularly under the current White House administration’s reduction in support for after school and summer learning initiatives.
“We were very grant-dependent,” says Hamilton-Stewart. “But with so many nonprofits competing for limited funding and donor hesitation due to economic uncertainty, we’ve had to get more creative.”
The organization is now focusing on building a base of monthly donors, hosting fundraising events, and inviting community members to contribute time, talent or treasure. A major initiative currently underway is the 10th Anniversary Celebration: “Celebrating a Decade of Impact” set for Aug. 18, 2025 at The Auto Pour in Charlotte. The goal: to raise $10,000 by Sept. 30, 2025.
“This event is about saying thank you to everyone who’s supported us: volunteers, donors, board members, interns and staff. But it’s also a push to ensure we can keep going another 10 years,” Hamilton-Stewart explains.
Intentional Expansion
Since its inception, Center 360 has prioritized meaningful, individual connection. Starting with just 10 students at Francis Bradley Middle School, the program now serves around 30 students, intentionally keeping numbers manageable to preserve its hands-on, relationship-centered approach.
“Thirty has become our sweet spot,” says Hamilton-Stewart. “It allows us to truly engage with students and their families. We want to be a resource not just for the kids, but for the whole household. Some of our families are struggling with housing, food insecurity, mental health issues. We’re here to help connect them to what they need.”
This whole-family model of care is one reason Center 360 is expanding. In addition to its presence at Francis Bradley Middle School, the organization has begun offering programs in Davidson through a partnership with the Ada Jenkins Center, with potential expansion into Fort Mill, S.C. in the near future.
“We’ve had people in Fort Mill approach us, asking us to bring Center 360 to their area,” she says. “We’d love to but growth takes staffing, funding and capacity. Right now, we’re a small team of three.”
The Power of Volunteers and Interns
With just three full-time staff members, Hamilton-Stewart, Program Supervisor Shanise, and Program Coordinator Aujenay, the organization depends heavily on volunteers and interns to run its programming.
Volunteers help supervise students, assist with homework and participate in activities. Interns from local colleges, especially those in social work, help with case management, connecting families to community services when needed.
“We always welcome volunteers 18 years and older,” says Hamilton-Stewart. “You just need a background check, an interview, volunteer training and most importantly, a genuine passion for middle school youth.”
She stresses the importance of understanding the developmental needs of this age group: “They’re figuring out the world and themselves. It takes patience, care and intentionality to support them well.”
What a Day at Center 360 Afterschool Looks Like
Center 360 operates during critical after school hours from 4 to 7 p.m.; a window when many youth are unsupervised and vulnerable to negative influences.
Students begin their day with snacks and homework help, followed by sessions on mental wellness, emotional awareness, or life skills. Then they participate in hands-on learning aligned with career pathways. The past year’s focus areas included culinary arts and the construction trades.
“Even the girls loved the trades,” Hamilton-Stewart says with a smile. “They were learning plumbing, fixing toilets, sinks and really enjoying it.”
The culinary arts program has become a staple, not just because it’s fun and engaging, but because it ties into long-term life skills and wellness. “We teach them how to cook, but also why nutrition matters; what food does to your body, and how that affects your adulthood.”
The organization also offers summer programming from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., filled with field trips, nature outings, and enrichment activities designed to expand students’ exposure to the world. One highlight was a visit to Microsoft’s Blacks in Tech program, where students interacted with professionals and experienced the tech world up close.
Inclusion and Representation
Akeilah and Keisha’s experience as foster and adoptive parents is deeply embedded in Center 360’s approach. “We’ve fostered children of different backgrounds—Black, White, Hispanic—and we’ve seen firsthand what these kids go through,” says Hamilton-Stewart.
That perspective helps the staff recognize red flags and unspoken struggles that students may be facing.
“Sometimes kids act out in school because they don’t feel safe or seen. We know how to ask the right questions, connect families with resources, and validate what the child is experiencing.”
As a Black lesbian couple, the Hamilton-Stewarts are also strong advocates for diversity and inclusion both in their personal lives and their organizational values.
“Kids don’t care if you’re gay or straight, Black or White. They care that you’re real with them. That you listen. That you love them. That they feel safe,” says Hamilton-Stewart. “The need for love is universal. That comes before anything else.”
Balancing Family and Leadership
Raising children, running a nonprofit and nurturing a marriage isn’t easy but the Hamilton-Stewarts are committed to it all.
“We have to be intentional,” says Hamilton-Stewart. “Sometimes that means finding a sitter and taking a night off for date night. It’s not as often as before, but we make time when we can for our kids, for our relationship, and for Center 360.”
She laughs, adding, “We’re women. We make it work.”
Looking Ahead
As Center 360 approaches its next decade, the focus is on sustainable growth and deepening impact. The team plans to rotate career focus areas with culinary arts returning next year and with theater arts also being introduced, based on student interest.
“We’ve learned not to overwhelm the students with too many topics. Two or three core programs a year works well,” Hamilton-Stewart explains. “It gives them space to explore and go deeper.”
She hopes more community members will support the cause by volunteering, joining the board, or becoming monthly donors. “Even if you can’t give financially, spread the word. Share our posts. Show up. We don’t want to be a secret anymore.”
Center 360’s after school programming resumes mid-September. Volunteer opportunities, and donation links are available on their website and social media.