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Priority Area Two

Our goal: Develop successful children and youth. To meet this goal, the Capital Area United Way awarded $702,041 in funds to 15 programs.

What we fund: Safe places with structured activities for youth, targeted support for youth with special challenges and caring adults who mentor youth.

The impact: Youth improve academic performance, self-esteem, communication and conflict resolution skills, and participate in community activities, there is a decrease in the number of youth offenders and youth make better judgments about personal safety, substance abuse and sexual activity.

Funded Programs in Priority Area Two:

One-to-One Mentoring, offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lansing/Clinton, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way and will provide youth with volunteer mentors who will assist in increasing assets that support growth in self confidence, social competence and caring behaviors. The program provides ongoing supervision with child, parent and volunteer mentors, as well as regular activities for matched and unmatched youth to increase developmental assets. For more information call (517) 372-0160 or click here to visit their website.

Academic and Cultural Enrichment Services, offered by Black Child and Family Institute, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way. The program provides children limited by financial, physical or emotional barriers with access to activities, experiences and resources to help them develop self esteem, social leadership skills and healthy living habits. For more information on this or any other program at Black Child and Family Institute, call (517) 487-3775 or visit them on-line.

Youth Development Programs, offered by Boys & Girls Club of Lansing, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way. The program emphasizes activities that encourage youth to get involved in healthy lifestyles, fosters competency in education, technology and diversity, and provides opportunities for young people to volunteer in the Greater Lansing community. For more information on this or any other program at Boys & Girls Club of Lansing call (517) 394-0455 or visit them on-line.

Read to Succeed & Family School Partnership, offered by Capital Area Literacy Coalition, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way and will serve 375 unduplicated cases this year, offering children and teens the opportunity to be successful in school and eventually in the workplace by providing free, comprehensive literacy services. The program also offers students the opportunity to improve their cultural understanding and increase their exposure to work ethics and career paths. For more information on this or any other program at Capital Area Literacy Coalition, call (517) 485-4949 or visit them on-line.

Court Appointed Advocates, offered by CASA of Barry/Eaton Counties, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way. The program provides youth in foster care with trained community advocates/role models to help build relationships, self-esteem and positive encouragement. For more information on this or any other program at CASA of Barry/Eaton Counties, call (517) 543-7500 ext. 646.

SHIELD - Youth Mentoring, offered by Catholic Social Services of Lansing/St. Vincent Home, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way. The program provides mentoring to youth in foster care, in order to strengthen their emotional and social functioning through the example and guidance of adult mentors. The program also provides regular support and instruction to mentors for successful work with this specific population. For more information on this or any other program at Catholic Social Services of Lansing/St. Vincent Home, call (517) 323-4734 or visit visit them on-line.

Faces of the Future, offered by Chief Okemos Council, Boy Scouts of America, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way. the program focuses on achieving the outcomes of healthy youth development such as strong character and habits of lifelong learning, healthy living and serving others. The program provides youth with the environment, resources and relationships they need to grow and learn by mentoring them and supporting their families. For more information on this or any other program at Chief Okemos Council, Boy Scouts of America, call (517) 321-7278 or visit them on-line.

HABIT, offered by Clinton County MSU Extension, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way. The program enables youth, through modeling and learned skills, to avoid violence and make positive life choices. The program teaches positive problem solving, communication, anger management, conflict resolution and recreational skills. For more information on this or any other program at Clinton County MSU Extension, call (989) 224-5252 or visit them on-line.

Child Services & Summer Break, offered by Cristo Rey Community Center, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way. The program provides North Lansing area youth, who would otherwise be limited by financial or physical barriers, with various creative activities and programs. Program activities develop social skills, self-esteem, leadership skills and good health. For more information on this or any other program at Cristo Rey Community Center, call (517) 372-4700 or visit them on-line.

Roots and Wings and Anger Management for Teens, offered by Cristo Rey Community Center, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way and provides children and youth with substance abuse prevention skill building classes and instruction in their schools. The program also provides classes for adolescents and their parents that build positive values, social competencies and positive identities. For more information on this or any other program at Cristo Rey Community Center, call (517) 372-4700 or visit them on-line.

Crossroads Transitional Living & Homeless Youth, offered by Gateway Community Services, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way and will provide homeless youth with a safe living environment and helping them to build better job and life skills. This program teaches money management, health and nutrition, and decision-making necessary to be independent, while building interpersonal relationships and provide long-term support. For more information on this or any other program at Gateway Community Services, call (517) 351-4000 or visit them on-line.

Developing Competent Girls, offered by Girl Scouts of Michigan Capital Council, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way. The program provides girls, ages 5-17, with experiences upon which to build happy, healthy and confident personalities as well as positive, contributing members of society as adults. The program also provides community service projects, which help teach empathy and reinforce the value of helping others. For more information on this or any other program at Girl Scouts of Michigan Capital Council, call (517) 699-9400.

Lansing Teen Court-Intervention/Prevention/Education, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way to provide activities designed to increase the personal success of young first time offenders, giving them the opportunity to get their lives back on track and clear their records. The program teaches youth how the court system works, and empowers them to address and participate directly in resolving problems through positive juvenile justice collaborations. For more information on this or any other program at Lansing Teen Court/Volunteer Center of Mid-Michigan call (517) 371-2823 or visit them on-line.

Comprehensive Youth Development, offered by YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing, is receiving grant funding through Capital Area United Way and will offer youth development programs that provide access and opportunity to youth who would not otherwise be able to participate, either because of financial, physical, emotional or cultural disadvantages. The program provides social skill-building activities, recreation and core values education, HEADSTART classes and community service opportunities. For more information on this or any other program at YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing, call (517) 484-6464 or visit them on-line.

Youth Restorative Justice, offered by Dispute Resolution Center is receiving grant funding for their teen mediation program. The program targets youth who have engaged in misconduct from the usual disciplinary process to restorative justive intervention for resolution of the conflict, and repair of the harm done. This program expands students' options by engaging them in and modeling a peaceful method for resolving conflict. For more information on this or any other program at Dispute Resolution Center call (517) 485-2274.

* Grant totals may include donor designations.

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