Youth Self Enhancement Program (YSEP)

This program was developed to encourage the participants to positively increase the distinction of their important identity. In a safe haven of nurturing and support, participants receive help with homework, enhance their computer skills, organize and plan special events and participate in group activities. From their one-on-one sessions with mentors they also learn time management skills, interpersonal and networking skills and how to be effective communicators.

Creatively Relating Entertainment & Arts To Educate (C.R.E.A.T.E.)

Creatively Relating Entertainment And Arts To Educate is an interactive peer leadership program for junior and senior year high schools students in African American communities that are not normally exposed to creative art programs. C.R.E.A.T.E. consists of three components: The Palette, Young Voice and Drama Squad. These programs focus on the prevention of substance abuse and violence using poetry, video production, newspapers, skits, and plays and helps prepare participants who are interested in pursuing careers in the arts.

Male / Female Mentoring

This program encourages youth to work together for the improvement of social and economical conditions for themselves and their communities. Weekly meetings are guided by professional business men/women who serve as mentors and positive role models. The youth are trained in values, conflict resolution, career development, father/mother hood, continuing education, developing life skills and cultural sensitivity.

The Young Men for Community Advocacy Project (YMCA)

An expansion of Brothas 4 life, this collaborative initiative is joined by Task Force AIDS Prevention and Unity Parenting and Counseling Center in cooperation with the SSHC. Working in concert, each has established links to youth in the African American community and is able to bring their unique expertise in the areas of HIV prevention and education services. The project provides community-level and individual interventions designed to encourage individuals and assist organizations to establish service practices that contribute to the well-being of youth in the African American community. In addition to providing intervention education and advocacy for young men who have sex with men (YMSM), the project offers training to agencies and service providers that seek to enhance their cultural sensitivity to this population and thereby provide better services and increase effectiveness in promoting access to services.

Family Violence and Prevention Programs

This program focuses on the development of effective social and problem-solving skills utilizing non-violent methods. The workshops include topics such as conflict management, violence prevention, behavior modification, anger-management, leadership development, communication skills, value clarification, positive relationship building, and alcohol, tobacco and other drugs as they relate to violence.

The program also assists the youth in understanding norms, attitudes and values centered around community violence and how to identify, resist and communicate with persons exhibiting violent behavior. Specific problem-behavior skill building activities are performed that help youth develop life skills to enhance their individual attitudes and behaviors to address the challenges of day-to-day experiences in a constructive manner and offers alternatives to help meet the psychological, physical and social needs of youth.