Monsanto Family YMCA Launches Afterschool Teen Program

This program at the Monsanto Family YMCA is designed to enrich the lives of middle and high school youth through emphasizing excellence in academics and community service. Through involvement in the Afterschool Teen Program participants will understand the importance of completing high school, explore the world of employment and career choices, develop talent and leadership skills, learn everyday life skills and engage in mentoring relationships.

Purpose:
The central purpose of the Afterschool Teen Program is to help youth set and pursue higher education and career goals by exposing them to a variety of “clusters” which are design to build character, explore diverse college and career options, as well as meet and interact with professionals in various fields of business.

Goals & Objectives:

• Help youth develop a positive sense of self
• Raise academic standards of youth
• Build character
• Expose students to diverse career options
• Provide role models whose success and knowledge will inspire youth to set and reach their goals
• Create channels for continuing community involvement by business and industry

Target Audience:
Youth in 7th - 12th grade from all income and academic levels that have a desire to succeed in school and pursue an advanced academic education.

Core component:
The core component of the program is the relationship established between adult mentors/ professionals and teens during the career cluster workshops

Career Clusters:

• Arts and Culture: Learn the impact art has had on our culture by working with professionals in performance and visual arts.
• Business: Develop a mock business, learn about the stock market and visit local businesses while learning about industry.
• Communications: Gain experience in the field of communications by working in print, radio and television media.
• Computers: Experience hands-on learning about the diverse career opportunities within the computer field.
• Education: Discover the unique challenges and rewards of the teaching profession while exploring the career opportunities within the field of education.
• Engineering: Perform amazing experiments while learning how the different types of engineers impact our world.
• Health & Medicine: Work with doctors, dentists, nurses and other medical professionals as you learn about the health profession.
• Law & Government: Conduct trials, solve crime and learn about government as well as other public service careers.
• Vocational & Technical Careers: Explore technical careers and develop the skills needed to be successful in the workplace.
• Job Readiness: Provide basic job training skills, which would include interviewing skills, dress and speech etiquettes.

Learning to Lead:
Adults are also benefiting from this program. Each year, corporations, businesses and organizations nominate successful role models in professional and managerial positions. If you are an adult or business professional that would be willing to volunteer your time and expertise please contact Rob West, at 314-367-4646.

Become involved today! To join the Teen Afterschool Program please fill out the program registration form and return to the Monsanto Family YMCA.

For more information contact Rob West, Senior Program Director at 314-367-4646.