Helping Youth SucceedWe are currently providing services to youth who are in the foster care system, has a disability, teen parents, low income, educationally and socially disadvantaged or in high poverty and at risk (for substance abuse).
More than just a hangout spot. We provide recreational, spiritual, emotional, financial, educational, social, and physical supports to our youth.
We are an organization dedicated to meeting the needs of youth. The youth are often from low income, disadvantaged, and from very violent areas filled with gangs and violence. There are currently a total of 152 youth, ranging from the ages of 4-28, attending our programs. We currently are open 6 days a week. Once we receive funding, we will have a 7 day 24 hour program. Our normal hours of operation are 12pm -9pm. It is very important the youth have a place to go where they can feel safe.
Many of the youth are from low income backgrounds so we provide transportation as much as possible. We also provide them with a complete meals and snacks while attending the meetings. There are books and pamphlets on everything from learning to read to staying out of gangs and teen suicide. There are professional speakers who come in from time to time to speak on such topics as HIV, Domestic violence, self-esteem etc. Once a month, the founder, Ms. Newkirk, has a weekend sleepover for the girls. There are usually about 23 - 35 girls in attendance. Movies are rented, popcorn is popped and for one weekend the girls pretend they live in a safe and happy environment where wishes come true.
Our program offers support services to the youth as well. Each youth is given a Youth adviser (mentor) and a peer leader to assist them with everyday support, as well as at different times of the month there are support groups that meet (i.e., teen parent, children of domestic violence, foster children, etc.). Youth are given job preparation skills and set up with volunteer, internship and paying positions though various companies, whom we have written to for this type of assistance. Youth even receive assistance with obtaining a drivers permit or license.
During the school year we work very closely with the parents and schools attended by the youth in our programs. We accompany parents to parent teacher conferences, PTA meetings and any other educational support assistance they may need. We also have family mediation sessions and literacy programs for the families of our youth.
Because our youth are disadvantaged, many of them have never had an opportunity to experience any type of trips or outings. We have taken them to the movies, plays, Great Adventure, Dorney Park, museums and zoos. We are currently working on fund raisers to raise enough money to take a trip to Disney world.
