Children living in under-resourced neighborhoods of our community face challenges some adults would find insurmountable. Limited access to necessities like healthy food and clothing can make it hard for youth to concentrate on their studies, resulting in many falling behind despite their efforts to succeed. The YMCA of Central New York (YMCA) works to set them up for future academic and professional success through a career exploration program for teens.
The YMCA offers a variety of direct community services such as afterschool enrichment, student mentoring and other motivating programs for personal and academic growth. Its Y Achievers program is a youth development career exploration program available for teens ages 13-19. Through mentoring opportunities, seminars and college visits, the program prepares local youth for successful continued education and careers.
Ali, a participant in the Y Achievers program, visits the YMCA after school to play basketball, spend time with his friends and participate in the program. He is appreciative and excited for the new opportunities he’s been exposed to through Y Achievers. “This was a new experience where I made lots of connections with people and organizations I had never heard of,” said Ali. “I also learned about a lot of jobs that I am interested in.”
With the support of a $50,000 grant from our Anti-Poverty Fund, the YMCA expanded the Y Achievers program that originally served 30 youth at Syracuse University. The funding allowed the organization to serve an additional 30 students through an additional cohort launched in partnership with Onondaga Community College.
“Whether they choose to pursue a university, trade school or community college degree, we hope to inspire students through long lasting relationships and meaningful work that will help them develop the key leadership skills they need to identify their future career goals,” said Mariella Canady, chief philanthropy officer at the YMCA.
Using a multifaceted approach, Y Achievers models its curriculum after the University of Chicago’s 6to16™ Five Pillar framework. The five pillars include academics, college knowledge, positive relationships, life skills and positive identity. The Y Achievers program hosts monthly gatherings where students have the opportunity to connect with local professionals to have meaningful conversations about money management, higher education and job opportunities, and soft skills.
The Y Achievers program’s outcomes show that things are moving in the right direction. After going through the program, students are prepared to enter college. Since the program launched,100% of high school senior participants graduated from high school, with 80% of them enrolling in higher education after graduation.
“These experiences help youth build positive behavioral traits such as caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and self-confidence,” said Canady. “These values, in turn, can aid them in leading healthy, productive lives.”
In addition to the monthly networking gatherings, Y Achiever participants engage in workshops featuring subjects like business and technology, communication skills, finance, commerce, law, health, political science, art expression and design. For Ali, the program is more than just an academic space. It’s a welcoming environment where all youth can create meaningful relationships and gain new experiences that drive future success.
The YMCA’s mission is to provide people living in poverty with the resources they need to thrive. When communities thrive, a flourishing economic pattern increases prosperity. When communities fail, a vicious cycle feeds generational poverty, making it difficult to break. Poverty is related to numerous systemic issues that affect the quality of life in our region — safe and affordable housing, quality education, healthy food, reliable transportation and more — making its implications complicated and vast.
The YMCA hopes to continue tackling the systematic barriers that are standing in the way of individual and communal success. The organization looks forward to helping more students build positive, impactful skills and relationships through honesty, respect and self- confidence.
