PROVIDING TOOLS THAT EMPOWER AND HELP TEENS THRIVE A SUMMER PILOT IN RESPONSE TO RACIAL TENSION AND DISTRUST
among neighbors, leaders of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) took action. Together, and with additional community partners, we worked to foster relationships, eliminate barriers to a better life and address the underlying social issues in our community that lead to distrust and even violence. Our primary strategy was Summer of Opportunity. In 2017, the Summer of Opportunity pilot provided youth ages 13-18 free access to three Y branches on Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm. The seven-week program served youth from areas that fall most deeply into Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s opportunity gap: McCrorey Family YMCA (Northwest Corridor) Stratford Richardson YMCA (West Corridor) Simmons YMCA (East Corridor)
GIVING YOUTH POSITIVE OUTLETS for their time and energy,
Summer of Opportunity was developed to build trust between teens and police officers, prevent crime, promote health and reduce academic summer regression. Trained staff and volunteers created a safe and structured environment that also allowed teens to socialize with friends in activities like basketball, swimming, fitness and art. Participating youth also received a free meal.
OUR GOALS ALIGN with recommendations of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force and address the need for early interventions in life to create access and opportunities and increase economic mobility.
ADDRESSING THE DIFFICULT REALITY OF UNDERSERVED YOUTH
74%
Eligible
FREE LUNCH STATUS
26%
2% Other
1%
Elementary
When surveyed:
61%
63% of participants scored low in college readiness and almost half have parents who did not attend college 74% qualify for free/reduced lunch
70%
Boys
High School
no response
GENDER
2%
19-22
5%
34% Girls
GRADE
2% Native American 1% 2% Native Hawaiian White / Caucasian 2%
Latino / Hispanic
5%
No response
84% AGE 14-18
14% 11-13
ETHNICITY
79%
Black / African American
5%
No response
Not Eligible
9%
Two or More Races
22% Middle School
THE YEAR-LONG STRATEGY IN FEBRUARY 2018,
Summer of Opportunity was expanded and elevated to a year-round strategy called LEVEL UP: Expanding from 14 teen nights in the summer to 22 teen nights throughout the year Adding the Keith Family YMCA (University City) to the existing three Y branches offering Level Up starting in June 2018 Infusing methods that focus on college readiness and career exploration through high-level themes including college prep, life skills, health and wellness and social justice
2018 IMPACT YOUTH SERVED
STRATFORD RICHARDSON
SIMMONS
MCCROREY
KEITH FAMILY
2018 TOTALS
613
488
381
359
1,841
VOLUNTEERS
250
WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE? AN INCREASED REACH WITH LASTING CHANGE 100% of students will improve their self-confidence based on six key indicators (Positive Identity, Self-Management, Social Skills, Contribution, Social Capital and Academic Self Efficacy)
90% of students will enroll in a post-secondary commitment (may include military, two-year or four-year college or vocational program)
90% of students who start the school year with a 2.0 GPA or lower will improve their GPA by year end IDCI4696