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Programs in Learning from Birth to Young Adult

Our goal: Support safe learning environments, school readiness and activities that nurture youth into confident, productive adults. To help meet this goal, the Capital Area United Way awarded $300,000 in grant funds to 11 programs.

Funded Programs:

Boys and Girls Club of Lansing: Youth Development Program

Boys and girls, ages 6 through 18 enjoy out-of-school programming in a safe, secure environment.  Low membership fees facilitate service for disadvantaged youths.  Daily activities include sports and recreation, arts and music, career development, health and life skills and much more.

 Capital Area Literacy Coalition: Family School Partnership Star Program

FSP Star is a year round program targeting children and teens living in low-income housing providing them with a safe and nurturing environment to learn and grow, meeting twice weekly in the community centers of local housing developments throughout the Greater Lansing area.  The program hires and trains at-risk teenagers to guide at-risk elementary aged children and works with participants to develop positive attitudes and increase motivation towards career preparation and job skills development. Children and teens receive unlimited, age appropriate books to help build home libraries. 

 Capital Area Literacy Coalition: Read to Succeed

Students participate in one-hour sessions twice a week in schools, libraries and church facilities to improve their academic performance by increasing basic literacy skill levels.  Pre- and post-tests measure increased reading levels after 24 weeks of tutoring.  Each student receives age appropriate books to build their home libraries and parents/guardians receive family reading activities and info to help support their children academically.

 Child and Family Services – Lansing Teen Court:  Teen Court Juvenile Justice Diversion

First-time juvenile offenders, aged 11 through 16, have the opportunity to take personal responsibility for a criminal offense without establishing a formal juvenile record.  An intake procedure is conducted for both the youth and parents and families are required to attend workshops that include topics such as communication skills, resolving delinquent behaviors, setting boundaries and more.  Trained peer jurors issue final dispositions on what the youth should do to repair the harm caused – overseen by judicial officials, law professors, and attorneys.

 Cristo Rey Community Center:  Roots and Wings

Youth, aged 10 to 17, and their parents work together to improve family functioning and conflict resolution.  Weekly 2.5 hour sessions are held over a 7 week period. Families eat dinner together, then parents and youth attend separate skill-building sessions.  Youth sessions focus on dealing with stress and strong emotions, dealing with peer pressure, strengthening pro-social goals, etc.  Parent sessions cover dealing effectively with teens in everyday settings, setting limits and appropriate follow-through, sharing expectations on alcohol and drug use, family values, etc.  Each session concludes by re-joining family units for a joint activity.  Both adults and youth are able to learn and develop in a safe and controlled setting. 

 Michigan State University Extension – Clinton County: Creating Connections

High school youth in foster care and those aging out of the state system are helped to establish personal networks of support and community connections.  Many of these individuals lack basic life skills and the natural supports traditionally provided by families.  Youth learn and practice critical life skills, work on gaining a positive vision for their futures, and work on developing employability skills. The program also provides adult mentors and monthly support group activities. 

 NorthWest Lansing Healthy Communities Initiative: Youth Engagement Program

The Youth Engagement Program helps build self-esteem; develop leadership skills, financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills; and learn how to make healthy choices for at-risk children ages 9-18 and young adults ages 18-25 from low-income, single parent households in Northwest Lansing.  The youth participate in community service learning projects and a Summer Enrichment Program that include construction and maintenance of a youth community garden, managing a youth farm stand during the growing season, and a variety of educational activities.    

 Peckham Vocational Industries, Inc.: Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP)

Youth, ages 14 through 18, with disabilities and involved in or at risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system become part of a high-tech, career-focused mentoring program.  A combination of group, peer and one-on-one mentoring is used to promote the successful transition of these youth to employment, continued learning opportunities and independent lives.  Program goals for the participant include a reduction of court involvement, increased career preparation and work-readiness skills.

Resolution Services Center of Central Michigan: Restorative Justice Program

 Suspensions and expulsions are reduced in the Lansing School District through the Restorative Justice Initiative.  Trained staff and volunteers conduct interventions that bring together all parties affected by a conflict or by misconduct to examine the incident and how the harm can be healed.  Students, school staff and parents are engaged in community-building circles and teachers are coached in using restorative principles in the classroom.

 St. Vincent Catholic Charities: Children's Services

Youth living in at-risk situations are supported by a range of help to move them, ultimately, to a safe and loving family situation.  Victims of abuse and/or neglect become part of a treatment program, first to place them in a safe situation, then to build self-esteem and basic life skills, and the ability to build positive relationships.  They receive the support of a mentor/tutor, mental health therapy and crisis intervention.

 Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Center: In-School Probation Program (ISPP)

The In-School Probation Program (ISPP) targets at-risk middle school youth living in the Grand Ledge and Eaton County communities.    The program is centered in the Grand Ledge Hayes Middle School, focusing on 7th and 8th grade students. ISPP is designed to identify youth who are abusing alcohol or other drugs and consequently, at-risk for becoming dependent on these substances and for engaging in other dangerous, and possibly criminal activities.  Through information, education, and experiential activities, ISPP reinforces the dangers of drug and alcohol use and abuse.  The program also works directly with school counselors and administrators to improve collaboration and participation.

* Grant totals may include donor designations.

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