July 17, 2014 Tinley Park, Illinois YMCA OF METRO CHICAGO Black & Latino Achievers Program (Achievers)

July 17, 2014Tinley Park, Illinois

YMCA OF METRO CHICAGO

Black & Latino Achievers Program (Achievers)

YMCA of Metro ChicagoBlack and Latino Achievers

The Black & Latino Achievers (Achievers) is one of the Y’s premier youth development programs focusing on the academic, personal and career advancement of urban youth.

Though local program titles may differ, the program purpose and format are the same for African Americans, Latinos or any ethnic group:

“ …to provide purposeful, targeted programming that help teens of color set and pursue high educational and career goals resulting in high school graduation and acceptance into and graduation from an institution of higher learning and successful entry into a career of their choosing.”

BLACK & LATINO ACHIEVERS

By 2018 it is estimated that the United States will have 46.8 million job openings. It is also estimated that by 2018, 63% of jobs will require postsecondary education or training.

ARE WE PREPARED?• 42 % of college instructors and 45% of employers say that high school graduates are not prepared for college and employment

• 40% of employers said that the high school graduates that they hire lack often lack the “soft” skills needed for entry-level jobs

• Low-income and minority students are the least likely to actually graduate from college. Only 40% of African-American and 47% of Latino students are graduating within six year.

THE FUTURE WORKFORCE

% Enrolled in Undergraduate Programs

Whites 64.5

Blacks 11.1

Hispanics 9.8% of BA Degrees Received

Whites 72.4Blacks 8.4Hispanics 5.8

WHY ACHIEVERS?

• In order to prepare today’s youth for the future workplace, we must ensure that youth graduate from high school with the core knowledge and skills necessary for successful postsecondary education or training pursuits and ultimately, workforce success. The Y’s response: The Achievers

• Program at a Glance• Serves 7th -12th graders

• 900+ youth from 65 participating schools

• Encourages positive interaction between youth and adult role models.

• Bi-weekly sessions held at DePaul University and school-based partnerships

• Program supported by over 100 volunteers and 50+ community/corporate partnerships

ACHIEVERS AT A GLANCE

NATIONAL PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

NATIONAL PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

• Over 130 programs nationally

• Operating in 32 States. Florida has largest number of programs

• Approximately 10,000-14,000 youth served annually

ACHIEVERS – Core Focus

• College/Workforce Readiness• Based on national Y-USA model

• Motivates 7th-12th graders to: – Achieve academic excellence, – Graduate from high school, and – Pursue post-secondary education

• Positive interaction between youth and adults

Foundational Courses•Team-building•Diversity Awareness•Nutrition•Self-Esteem/Finding out who you are•Goal Setting•Money Matters

Making High School Count•First Impressions•Communication•Importance of Good Grades/ Your High School Résumé•Social Media Awareness

Making College Prep Count•College Fairs•Finding the College that is right for you•Real World of College Careers•Preparing your College Application & Essay•ACT Prep•Financial Aid Workshops

FALL SEMESTER

Career Cluster Workshopsfocusing on:

•Health & Medicine•Business & Finance•Aviation•The Trades•Technology•Arts & Entertainment•Communication•Sports Management•Hospitality & Meeting Planning•Law & Law Enforcement

SPRING SEMESTER

Field trips and Partnerships

Career ClusterField Trip

Job ShadowEvent

College Tour

• Midwest Teen Summit

• Local College Tours

• World-Of-Work Job Shadow Events (3)

• FAFSA Workshops

• Teen Leadership Institute

• Community Service Projects

• Summer Enrichment

• Parent Workshops

• YMCA Youth & Government

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITES

• 100% of seniors complete high school

• 98% continued with post-secondary education• 85% of seniors determine their college major as a

result or participating in BLA

• 90% demonstrated increased school performance

BLACK & LATINO ACHIEVERS IMPACT

BLACK & LATINO ACHIEVERS IMPACT

PARTICIPANT QUOTES:• Through the Black and Latino Achievers

program, we are all step by step becoming closer to revolutionizing everything from ourselves, to our world.

- BLA Graduating Senior (Taga Tall)

• The Black & Latino Achievers program was the most entertaining and educational program I have ever been a part of.

-1st year BLA Participant (Hussain Muhammad)

• The leadership skills I have gained from being in B.L.A. and the Teen Leadership Institute have made me a confident and successful leader.

-BLA Participant (David Medina)

YOUTH ENGAGEMENTHow do we recruit our program participants?

• Existing YMCA programs• School Outreach Efforts• Community Partners• Existing Participants• Parents/Volunteers

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESMore than 100 business volunteers participate annually

Volunteer Opportunities:• Career Workshop Presenter• Mentor• Personal Development Workshop Presenter • Job Shadow Host• Internship Placement Site• Steering Committee Member

FURTHER INFORMATIONLaDawn NorwoodAssociation Director of Teen ProgramsYMCA of Metro Chicago773-326-3024lnorwood@ymcachicago.org