Youth Leadership Academy
Youth Leadership Academy Learning Center
YLA activities take place in our Youth Leadership Academy Learning Center, a fully-equipped center housing computer stations and learning materials (including PSAT/SAT prep books, Regents prep books, college admissions/financial aid information, and other learning tools) and staffed by knowledgeable educators.
Through our YLA, we start early to prepare our children to meet and overcome challenges to their academic success. Our youngsters thrive in a lively and enjoyable atmosphere where they can relax and learn, and receive support to do well in school. The YLA provides a safe and stimulating afterschool haven during the academic year, and offers continued support for learning during the summer through our YLA Summer Camp.
To learn more about the YLA, read on...
Leadership and Life Skills Training
We offer leadership training to our program participants, employing a curriculum developed by Urban Technology. This training helps young people enhance their self-esteem and develop leadership, life and employable skills. For example, leadership lessons include conflict resolution and mediation training as well as the promotion of community involvement and mentorship. Career-building activities help familiarize young people with the world of work, and cover a wide range of skills and career choices such as graphic design, computer repair, multimedia, and desktop publishing.
Our older YLA members serve as junior counselors who, in turn, tutor and mentor our younger YLA participants as part of an integrated community service component.
Academic Enrichment and Technology Training
At the YLA, our young people receive training in basic computer skills including word-processing, Internet usage and spreadsheet fundamentals in tandem with academic enrichment. We employ personalized and age-appropriate instruction using a specialized, proven curriculum also created by Urban Technology.
Expressive Arts Program
Through creative activities such as painting, journal writing, poetry, drama and music, young people are encouraged to discover new interests and explore their talents. For example, last summer YLA participants wrote poetry and acted and produced an end-of-summer variety show for their friends and families. We hope to expand these activities by collaborating with local Brooklyn artists and arts organizations including Americans for the Arts and BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music).
Education is the Pathway to Success
All of our back-in-school efforts, our PAD and American Dream Programs are aimed at the same thing: giving foster care and at-risk kids the chance to break the cycle of poverty and live meaningful, independent lives.
SVS is the only organization of its kind that has this level of commitment to education as a pathway to success. We will go to great lengths to help our kids get a good education - it's both a moral obligation and a passion for everyone who works and volunteers here.
Support SVS Education Programs
Youth Leadership Academy
Is there anything more important than education? Education opens our minds, broadens our perspective and often points us in a direction toward which we might not otherwise have traveled. With education we have a foundation for making choices for our futures. With your support for the Youth Leadership Academy and Learning Center, our children will continue to enjoy a fruitful educational experience.
Pathways to the American Dream
SVS is pleased to announce the launch of the Pathways to the American Dream, or “PAD” Program to help foster teens to do better in high school and prepare for college.
Read more about this exciting new initiative.
