YouthCARE 1974-2009
Celebrating 35 Years of Service to Youth in the Twin Cities

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2701 University Ave. SE
Suite 205
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Tel: 612/338-1233
Fax: 612/338-6904

  YouthCARE Mission, Location, Staff, History Activities Volunteer You can help Photos
 

Related Links:

2009-10 YAC Profiles

2009-10 YouthLEAD Scrapbook

2009 CS Star Profiles

2009 Camper Application

2008-09 YAC Profiles

2008 CS Stars Newsletter

2008-09 YouthLEAD Scrapbook

2008 CS Star Scrapbook

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YouthLEAD Program Information

Mission and DescriptionDemographic InformationSpecific Activities
Program StrategiesPartners



Mission and Description

YouthLEAD (Youth Leadership, Education & Diversity) is a year round program focused on developing youth leaders and building multicultural friendships among youth, 13-18 years old, through positive after school and weekend activities. Annually, 175-200 youth participate in YouthLEAD programs and activities.
YouthLEAD has a strong emphasis on bringing together youth from diverse backgrounds to learn about others, better understand and appreciate cultural differences and build multicultural friendships. A primary focus of the program is to provide a link between the community built at Camp Sunrise and the participant's home communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Program services include youth leadership development, employment skills and training, outreach activities, and positive social, recreational and educational activities. Regular activities include the Youth Advisory Council, Community Service Stars Summer Employment Program, Youth Speak Outs, and Monthly Social and Recreational Activities such as gym nights, dances, roller skating and bowling. In addition, the program provides opportunities for youth to develop consistent and long-term relationships with caring adults

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Demographic Information

Youth Involved:
YouthLEAD serves youth, 13-18 years old, from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, who face social or economic barriers. During the 2007-08 program year, YouthLEAD served 186 youth from Minneapolis and St Paul. A key focus of the YouthLEAD program is to provide follow up services for youth who have attended Camp Sunrise.

Geographic Area Served:
YouthLEAD serves youth, 13-18 years old, who live in Minneapolis or St. Paul

Ethnic & Cultural Diversity:
During the 2007-08 program year 186 youth participated in YouthLEAD activities.
African American 39%
Asian American 36%
European American 8%
Latino 6%
African Immigrant 5%
Native American 4%
Other 2%

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Specific Activities

Specific Activities
Youth Advisory Council: The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) involves 25-30 youth in the YouthCARE decision making process. Program components include YAC Retreats in the fall and spring, monthly YAC meetings, two committee meetings a month, and representing youth at board of director's meetings. Each YAC member is on one committee during the year including; civic engagement, fundraising, monthly events, weekend trip leaders, and youth speak outs. Committees meet twice a month to plan activities for other youth to participate in.

Community Service Stars Summer Employment Program: CS Stars is a summer employment program for youth who live in Minneapolis. In a partnership with Minneapolis Employment and Training Program, YouthCARE will hire 10-12 youth to work on a Community Service Crew during the summer months. The crew will move around the city, with the help of young adult staff, doing community service projects for communities and non - profits in need of help, they will also learn about having and keeping a job, and do college and career exploration.

Youth Speak Outs: Youth Speak Outs are conducted five times during the year between the months of November-April, to bring together youth from diverse backgrounds and cultures, to discuss topics selected by the youth. Youth Speak Outs have been conducted on topics such as dating, racism, violence, gangs and diversity. YAC members volunteer to work with program staff to plan and lead Youth Speak Outs. During the planning sessions youth leaders gain skills in research, public speaking, event planning, and much more. During the Speak Out all the youth involved learn about the topic as well as communication skills and styles.

Self Sufficiency Workshops: Self Sufficiency Workshops are held once a month from November-April and focus on helping youth prepare for the transition into adulthood. Workshops are generally led by YouthCARE staff, volunteers, or community members. Workshops in the past have included, financial aid and scholarship information, career possibilities, how to get a job, resume building, interview skills and many more.

Monthly Social & Recreational Activities: YouthCARE conducts social and recreational activities once a month from October-May, to bring together 60-125 youth from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Activities include roller skating, gym & swim nights, dances, snow tubing, bowling and an Annual Lock-In Event. Adult program staff and volunteers supervise activities and provide youth with transportation to and from activities.

Small Group Social Outings: In addition to the leadership and recreational activities YouthLEAD provides small group social outings each month. Youth who are not as involved with our leadership programs will be targeted for these activities. These activities may include trips to cultural events, museums, and other social activities.

Outreach Activities: Outreach activities are smaller group activities aimed at keeping youth involved in positive activities. Activities could include going to watch a youth in their sporting or extra curricular events, helping them with homework, or helping them find resources in a time of need. YouthCARE staff will do our best to be available to youth in their times of need providing support and access to resources when necessary.

 

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Key Program Strategies

Key program Strategies
Work with the Camp Sunrise team to keep youth involved in year round positive programming.
Provide opportunities for youth to develop their leadership skills through experiential learning practices (CS Stars & YAC).
Provide employment opportunities and skills through workshops and on the job training.
Provide opportunities for youth to give back to their communities through volunteering.
Provide regular, consistent, and fun social, recreational, and educational activities for youth involved with YouthCARE.
Help youth develop skills to help them after high school, including college decisions, money management, and other life skills.
Remove the barriers that keep youth from low to moderate incomes from participating in after school and weekend activities. Provide most events free of charge and offer rides to youth who need them.
Regularly recruit youth of diverse backgrounds for all activities to help create positive multicultural setting for youth to learn and grow in.
Keep youth involved as they transition from youth participant (18 years old) to adult volunteer (19 years old).
Maintain a strong emphasis on involving adult volunteers in monthly social and recreational events to help facilitate positive relationships between youth and caring adults, help meet the programs transportation and staffing needs, and to provide an opportunity for alumni staff and campers to stay connected with YouthCARE and the youth.


Key Program Partners

Minnesota Department of Education
Minneapolis Employment & Training Program

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