Escape the Shape (ETS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young men in the DC metropolitan area through education and mentorship that extends beyond the Beltway.
Our mission is to cultivate the next generation of local entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and leaders by offering global experiences that broaden their worldviews and perspectives.
We provide international travel, free of charge, to high school boys who successfully complete our program, which emphasizes experiential and service learning.
ETS is also deeply involved in advocacy for youth development and participation in community advancement through local entrepreneurship and philanthropy. We empower young men in the areas of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual strength.
Jacob
I feel like no matter where you go, you’re always going to find someone that you can help
Curtis Gr.10
(Escape the Shape) helped open my mind to the world around me and showed me how to be more open to new experiences.
Malachi Gr.11
(Escape the Shape) helped me open to the people around me and to sometimes be the bigger person if something doesn’t go your way
Jonathan Gr.12
(Escape the Shape) taught me how to be more grateful
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Escape The Shape is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, funded through grants, corporate giving and in-kind contributions and donations from individuals who are passionate about giving all boys the opportunity to see the world.
Anthony Anamelechi is a passionate educator and visionary, born and raised in Washington, D.C. With over a decade of experience as an international math educator, Anthony has dedicated his career to redefining what education can be. Guided by his teaching philosophy that “NO ONE is smart, NO ONE is dumb, but EVERYONE is CAPABLE,” he has inspired countless students to recognize their potential beyond the limits of conventional schooling.
After earning his degree from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in 2008, Anthony returned to DeMatha Catholic High School, where his love for teaching and a deep commitment to educating young men—particularly those from his own demographic—began to take root. His journey through the public and charter school systems of the D.C. Metropolitan Area only strengthened his resolve to make a broader impact.
In 2015, Anthony embarked on a transformative journey overseas, driven by a desire to find more meaningful ways to educate beyond standardized tests. It was during this time that the vision for Escape the Shape was born. Inspired by the global focus on travel, arts, and experiential learning in international schools, Anthony asked himself, “How would these opportunities transform students back home?”
Escape the Shape is the answer to that question—a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young men in the DMV by expanding their horizons through international travel, cultural exchange, and hands-on learning experiences. Anthony’s ultimate dream is to see Escape the Shape grow into a full-fledged educational institution where students spend most of the year learning abroad. For now, his focus is on taking young men from the DMV on life-changing journeys that open their eyes to the world’s possibilities, expanding their choices far beyond the Beltway.
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