July 17, 2014
Tinley Park, Illinois
YMCA OF METRO CHICAGO
Black & Latino Achievers Program
(Achievers)
YMCA of Metro Chicago
Black and Latino Achievers
BLACK & 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.”
THE FUTURE WORKFORCE
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.
WHY ACHIEVERS?
% Enrolled in Undergraduate Programs
Whites
64.5
Blacks
11.1
Hispanics
9.8
% of BA Degrees Received
Whites
Blacks
Hispanics
72.4
8.4
5.8
ACHIEVERS AT A GLANCE
• 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
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
FALL SEMESTER
Foundational Courses
Making College Prep Count
•Team-building
•Diversity Awareness
•Nutrition
•Self-Esteem/Finding out who you
are
•Goal Setting
•Money Matters
•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
Making High School Count
•First Impressions
•Communication
•Importance of Good Grades/ Your
High School Résumé
•Social Media Awareness
SPRING SEMESTER
Career Cluster Workshops
focusing on:
•Health & Medicine
•Business & Finance
•Aviation
•The Trades
•Technology
•Arts & Entertainment
•Communication
•Sports Management
•Hospitality & Meeting Planning
•Law & Law Enforcement
Field trips and Partnerships
Career Cluster
Field Trip
Job Shadow
Event
College Tour
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITES
• 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
BLACK & LATINO ACHIEVERS IMPACT
• 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
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 ENGAGEMENT
How do we recruit our program participants?
•
•
•
•
•
Existing YMCA programs
School Outreach Efforts
Community Partners
Existing Participants
Parents/Volunteers
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
More 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 INFORMATION
LaDawn Norwood
Association Director of Teen Programs
YMCA of Metro Chicago
773-326-3024
lnorwood@ymcachicago.org