OUR AUDIENCE
We focus on middle-school teens.
WE ADDRESS TEENS' KEY ISSUES
The saying goes: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We strongly believe that reaching out to students in middle school and helping them become self-motivated learners is the most effective way to help students succeed in high school.
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Middle schoolers are at a critical point in their lives. The power of parental influence is waning as they gain increasing independence, while the influence of their peers and popular culture is increasing.
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Unfortunately, factors beyond their control cause many students to mistakenly believe that there is no place for them in today's world. Such students may become disengaged or give up on themselves and society or even choose self-desctructive behaviors.
The Myth of Instant Fame
Far too many urban youth, especially boys, spend their formative years in denial that they will become a typical American worker. Many believe that the world is against them. Others expect to magically become super-star team athletes or musicians or YouTube sensations without regard to the dismal probability of succeeding in those fields.
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We help them understand that work will be a key part of their future, that school is one tool for preparing to enter the work force, and how to maximize their time now to enter the work force from an advantaged position.
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School is sometimes seen as something that they are forced to do, rather than as the place to obtain the skills and knowledge that add value to one's labor. We've found guidance counselors to be overworked and students are subsequently uninformed about realistic college and career choices based on their academic strengths and interests. We take the time to supplement high achievement for students.
Recognition of One's Worth
Poverty is damaging. It disempowers people to get beyond survival mode. It is important to let children affected by poverty see possibilities that may seem out of reach. We help them refocus away from what they don't have, to what time, effort, discipline, and investing in themselves can yield. By providing a group setting that is encouraging and lets them express themselves, we strive to foster relationships that are helpful and a perspective that time is also a valuable currency.
Some urban youth feel powerless, as if nothng they do matters. Through years of working with the youth of New Haven and Bridgeport, our organization has learned that helping our urban youth to recognize the awesome power of their actions is the most important way to prevent students from dropping out and to foster achievement.
The Pain of Daily Indignities
Children of color are frequently subjected to direct and vicarious indignities. They are keenly aware that society values their lives less than those of others. This is evidenced by the disparities in healthcare, educational spending, and policing. They are more than twice as likely to be killed by a policeman. They are less likely to receive the preventative care that they need. Negative stereotypes cast a long shadow on their self esteem and cause them to feel like interlopers in America's most beneficial institutions and programs. These children need an intervention in order to reach their full potential.
A Unique Program to Address The Effects of Racism
The first step in empowering today's urban youth is to address head-on the psychological barriers created by racism. Our program focuses on racial healing. We provide real activities to help young people experiment with reducing their and other people's biases.
It is one of the most valuable tools that we provide.