Youth Volunteer.

Community Strong.

Youth Volunteer.
Community Strong.

Learn More

TDH International Tree

Scholarship Program 2023

TDH International Tree Scholarship Program offers scholarships to high school seniors and juniors. The purpose of this one-time scholarship is to support the arboriculture industry by helping students invest interest in environmental education. Applicants will learn how trees improve air quality and reduce environmental impacts to the planet.

Register Today!
Download Flyer (PDF)

Upside Academy, Inc.

Who We Are

Upside Academy, Inc. was founded in Bakersfield, CA in July of 2017 by founder NaTesha Johnson.
Mission Statement

Upside Academy, Inc. mission is to provide volunteer and community service opportunities for youth, ages 12 – 18, in Kern County.

Our Vision
We envision our youth engaging in community service activities by providing support and assistances though volunteerism.
Our Core Values

Community Service
We are committed in impacting our youth and community through modeling characteristics such as ethics, leadership, hard work, positivity and providing support to those in need.

Stewardship
We believe in giving back to our community through the hard work and dedication of our youth.

Accountability
We strive in building relationships with our community partners by building a strong relationship through competency, follow-through and commitment on all projects.

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.

- Maya Angelou -

Our Movement

What We Do

Upside Academy, Inc. is a California non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation which provides opportunities for youth ages 12-18 to give their time and talent to improve their communities through volunteer and community service hours. Our non-profit focuses on providing volunteerism for local non-profit, schools and community projects in Kern County. Community services activities include: neighborhood clean-up, shelters, pantries, senior centers, community fundraisers, hospitals, animal shelters, tutoring, educational projects and special events.

Within these projects, our youth will learn important leadership skills and develop a network of civic-minded cores. Upside Academy, Inc. volunteerism encourages compassion and civic engagement while strengthening positive work ethic and valuable work experience.

Upside Academy, Inc. main objective is to seek non-profit and community-based organizations and match our youth as volunteers. Each organization will submit an “Academy Request for Service” which include number of volunteers, hours, age requirements, and descriptions of projects. Our Upside Academy committee will review each request and assign youth.

In exchange of services hours, organizations are ask to provide a performance evaluation, documentation of hours, and letter of recommendations for our youth. All documents will aide in employment opportunities, college scholarships and college applications.

Eligibility: Youth enrolled in school are eligible to participate in Upside Academy, Inc.

Our Program & Services

Youth Activities & Enrichment

Upside Academy, Inc. offers support, education and enrichment activities designed to help youth build a sense of community, build skills and relationships through stewardship. Our activities are presented in a fun and safe environment with plenty of hands-on involvement. From setting up at events, concessions, customer, hospitality, social etiquette, cooking, agriculture, community projects and more.

Our Youth Enrichment has something for everyone!

Vocational Opportunities

Upside Academy, Inc. provides our youth with valuable employability skills through their volunteerism. These “real-world” job skills are transferable into the workforce. Our students are provided with the necessary coaching and supervision in these jobs, so that success guaranteed.

College Scholarship Assistance

Upside Academy, Inc. provides guidance and support services for youth pursuing higher education. We will empower youth to graduate high school, attend and graduate college, and achieve their goals. We will assist with the application process as well as cover college application fees for those low-income youth.

Who Do We Serve

Upside Academy, Inc. Youth Activities and Enrichment program services an average of 86 % low to moderate income families in Kern County. The below data is based on the youth that are enrolled and/or participants in the program.

School Summary Data for:

Casa Loma Elementary
Bessie E. Owens Intermediate
McKinley Elementary
Fremont Elementary
Emerson Middle School
Curran Middle School
Bakersfield High School
East Bakersfield High School
West High School
South High School

*Data provided by the California Department of Education for the 2017-18 school year.

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.

- Coretta Scott King -

Dedicated and Passionate

Our Board

The Upside Academy, Inc. board is made up of dedicated and passionate professionals committed to giving back to the community of Kern while ensuring success for our youth.

Five Key Roles of the Board of Directors
  1. To define, protect and advance the mission
  2. To obtain and safeguard the organization’s resources / assets (human, financial, property)
  3. To recruit, hire, support, evaluate and (if necessary) remove the Executive Director
  4. To be ambassadors of the organization to the outside world
  5. To develop the policies needed to provide clear direction and good governance over the organization’s business practices
We Are Accountable To
  • Donors / Funders
  • Taxpayers
  • Clients / members
  • Government
  • Community / Private
  • Watchdog Groups
  • Media

The Upside Academy, Inc. board is made up of dedicated and passionate professionals committed to giving back to the community of Kern while ensuring success for our youth.

Executive Director

T-johnson

Natesha “T” Johnson
Upside Productions
C.E.O & Founder

Vice President

James

James Burton Jr.
James Burton Farmers Insurance

Secretary

Tanae

Tanae McCall
California State University, Bakersfield

Treasurer

Brenda

Brenda Rodriguez Dueñas
Community Member

Board Member

Michael

Michael Bowers
District Deputy Representative, Senator Vidak’s Office

Board Member

Gilbert

Gilbert LaRoque
Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Sciences

Board Member

Karla

Karla Wong
Marketing & Graphic Designer

Board Member

Marcus Johnson
Starstruck Entertainment

Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.

- Andrew Carnegie -

We welcome Corporations, Non-profits, Schools and Volunteers

Register Today!

If you are already a registered website user, you can click the button below to login and access the Events Calendar.

Login

Student Register Form

Fill-in the form below and click submit to register online.

* = Required
To save time: manually type in year first, use arrows for the month, then click the day.
Create An Account

Create a username and password to become a registered user and be able to access our community calendar and select events you would like to work.

Once your login access is approved, you will be able to log in and access the online events calendar.

Organization Register Form

Fill-in the form below and click submit to register online.

* = Required
Affiliate Agreement

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

YOU MAY PRINT THIS PAGE FOR YOUR RECORDS.

THIS IS A LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND UPSIDE ACADEMY, INC.
I certify, as a duly authorized representative of “Plug” (hereinafter referred to as “Organization”) assure that said Organization is recognized under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) or a licensed business in the state of California.

As such, I agree to this Affiliate Agreement with Upside Academy, Inc. Upside Academy, Inc. agrees to permit the Organization to host an account on the website upsideacademyinc.org at no cost. This profile consists of a two parts:

  1. Public interface: The public interface will provide a profile with the Organization’s biography, contact information, and a link to the Organization’s personal webpage, if such a webpage so exists. This public interface will also host the organizations calendar, which details volunteer opportunities, needs, and events.
  2. Internal management: The internal management will allow the Organization to track volunteers assigned to their events and oversee their events.
The public interface shall be hosted and controlled exclusively by the Organization. Upside Academy, Inc. is in no way involved with the management of any listed opportunities or events and does not guarantee the acquisition of volunteers.

It is the sole responsibility of the Organization to coordinate the opportunities and events both on the public interface and in person. It is also the sole responsibility of the Organization to approve volunteers who contact/sign up for each event. Upside Academy, Inc. does not conduct background, CORI, or any other check on individuals volunteering through the site. Should the Organization require such information prior to allowing an individual to volunteer, their public interface shall state the same and allow potential volunteers to begin this process.

When individuals volunteer through one of the Organizations opportunities, the Organization agrees to “verify” the volunteer hours through the Upside Academy, Inc. system within seven (7) calendar days.

The Organization further guarantees that it will protect all volunteer information. The data and personal information collected through the Upside Academy, Inc. website cannot and will not be sold to any third party entity and will not be used by the Organization, or its officers, directors, members, or employees, for purposes other than those exclusively within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).

This agreement shall not be construed to grant the Organization any controlling, voting, management, or any other rights within Upside Academy, Inc. At all times, Upside Academy, Inc. remains a separate and distinct corporation.

It is the policy of Upside Academy, Inc. not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ancestry, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical disability, veteran’s status, political service or affiliation, color, religion, or national origin. Accordingly, Upside Academy, Inc. requires that any affiliate organization comply with this policy. Upside Academy, Inc. reserves the right to suspend or delete an affiliate account if this policy is violated.
Clear Signature
Desktops / laptops: Use mouse to sign. Mobile / touchscreen devices: Use finger or stylus.

Unity is strength...when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.

- Mattie Stepanek -

Giving is the master key to success, in all applications of human life.

- Bryant McGill -

Do you need to reach us?

CONTACT US

Address

P.O. Box 6056
Bakersfield, CA 93386

Phone

(661) 281-5007

Email

info@upsideacademyinc.org

Follow Us On FB

UpsideAcademyInc

Contact Fill-in Form

Ask us a question or leave a comment.

* = Required