|
|
 Our mission is to build brighter days for our Youth! There are several objectives that we would like to meet as we encourage our youth to be the best citizens they can be.
|
||||||||
|
HISTORY Generation YES began in 1996 with the help of a small group of volunteers combined with the Youth Against Drugs. The community organization began offering support to youth that were at risk for drug involvement and school dropout. The group is formed and maintained by volunteer advisory teams and led by volunteer youth leaders. Later in 1996, the organization was changed from a recreational into a prevention and support organization. The impetus for the decision came from parents and volunteers who felt the target group created confusion with the traditional recreational programs and stood in the way of many youth seeking help they needed to deal with drug problems and educational issues. In January 1999, the Generation YES opened its doors to new educational programs. The Generation YES is launching a new program called "Prepare To Learn, Learn To Prepare". This program will prepare students for success by improving educational advancement and developing the potential of youth as citizens and leaders. GOALS Although the central mission of the Generation YES is the prevention of drug involvement and school drop out, the means to this end almost always focuses on a bigger picture that involves family and parenting issues, community support and the overall personal growth of participants. The mission of the Generation YES is to prevent drug involvement and promote educational advancement by providing a positive outlook in the community, building the self-esteem of the youth, and providing the skills needed to lead productive and successful lives. In keeping with this mission, the Generation YES plans to -- Provide free services that help the youth develop new skills to enhance educational abilities and build self-esteem. -- Provide programming for youth participants designed to help them develop appropriate social skills. -- Conduct public education and community-building activities to create public support for drug prevention programs. -- Conduct parent-child activities to reinforce prevention goals. PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES Generation YES is built upon shared leadership and mutual self-help. With guidance of a volunteer youth leader, participants meet weekly to develop talents and skills as well as to set personal goals. They are then held accountable by the group to overachieve in their schoolwork and promote a drug-free environment. This goal-setting enhances the youth's self-image and increases their personal belief in their own abilities to set and meet other life goals. One of the reasons that the Generation YES is so effective is that they break the traditional "adult/child" model. This reversal results in the youth feeling more in control. The youth are the ones who take responsibility for bettering their own lives through reaching their full potential. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Generation YES have performed a number of community service projects. The Community Clean-up Program is a monthly activity in which the youth clean the streets of their community. This gives the youth a chance to take pride in their community and have a "hands-on" opportunity to improve their neighborhood. The Annual "GIVE" Program includes the disbursement of fruit baskets to the elderly and disabled in the community. The youth personally delivers baskets door-to-door and experiences the joy of giving. The Generation YES has also offered Tutorial Services to those in need. The older members are given the opportunity to help tutor the younger children, improving their educational skills. The annual "Drug-Free Youth Fest" sparks lots of excitement for youth everywhere. This is a full day of games, activities, music, entertainment, and free food for everyone. The Generation YES set up this day in order to promote a drug-free community. The youth are placed in charge of everything, which gives them responsibility while building their self-esteem. A major component of the Generation YES' planned success with the "Prepare To Learn, Learn To Prepare" Program, is its willingness to work with the community. The group will provide activities that run concurrently with the Generation YES' goals. The youth will receive emotional support in a nurturing and safe environment and participate in activities specifically designed for drug prevention and educational advancement. The youth groups are designed to promote self-esteem, teach nonviolent conflict resolution skills, and improve social behavior as well as peer relationships. Volunteer youth group leaders and assistants will lead the groups. Youth participating in the program will range in age from kindergarten to college students. RESULTS Generation YES helps to prepare the youth for compromising positions with drug involvement. The group also encourages the members to continue their education after high school. Results of 1999 surveys of students participating in the Generation YES indicate: One hundred percent of the high school graduates have enrolled in college, 8%-community college/vocational and 92%-four-year colleges. |
|
|
