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EXPLANATION OF PROBLEM / NEED Today's youth are constantly bombarded by the media with suggested modes of behavior deemed as negative, inappropriate and detrimental to a child's development. Scenes of violent behavior and provocative sexual conduct are everywhere; from billboards to music videos to video games, our youth are taught that it is okay to dismiss, deny and denigrate the needs of others. Popular culture's message to youth is one that validates selfishness and promotes violence and makes it unpopular to be smart. More often than not, parents, teachers and others simply cannot compete with the pervasive signals from the mainstream media. CAPPA's Youth Intervention and Development Project, Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders Today seek to counteract the negative effects of our culture and to assist our young people in making proper life-changing decisions. Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders Today is a comprehensive community based youth intervention and development project serving Williamsport and Lycoming County, Pennsylvania at large. The project has been in operation since the summer of 2002 and today serves approximately 400 youth through its variety of programs. The project strives to teach young people alternative methods to deal with negative influences within the community. Building strong character through participation in organized sports, creative and performing arts programs, workshops, community service projects, summer youth employment and offering academic support for all participants are the essence of the project. The project is unique to this region and was created to provide positive opportunities for under-served youth from diverse backgrounds living in Lycoming County. The project specifically targets at-risk and economically disadvantaged youth in elementary, middle or high school, however all programs are open to all youth in Lycoming County. Results/Success of the Program Since 2002 youth enrollment has increased by 35% each year. On September 13, 2005, The Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies (PAHRA) awarded CAPPA in partnership with Lycoming Housing the 2005 Best Practice Award. Loni Gamble, Executive Director, received "Person of the Year" State Award. The CAPPA Project is bridging gaps and bringing segments of our community closer together. The CAPPA Project also created a multi-cultural opportunity for schools and communities to work together. I.e., in 2005 CAPPA created a Performing Arts Program and in collaboration with the Williamsport Area School District held the First Annual Performing Artist Showcase. The showcase involved 168 participants from Elementary, Middle and High School and was broadcast by SusCom, a local cable network, to over 30,000 viewers. The 2005 CAPPA Summer Basketball League served over 140 participants from the City of Williamsport, Loyalsock Township, South Williamsport and Montoursville, PA. In 2005 CAPPA opened a Creative and Performing Arts Studio in collaboration with Lycoming Housing Authority to provide a venue for young people to develop vocal and instrumental talents i.e. guitar, bass guitar, keyboard etc. CAPPA is soon to release The "What's Goin' On" music CD. The "What's Goin' On" CD contains powerful and positive lyrical content written by a 13 year old participant. The "What's Goin' On" Campaign is designed to bring awareness from a teenage perspective to many of the social ills of today. The intervention is structured to reach students in the school setting and is designed to positively affect the school environment as a whole and serves to strengthen protective factors for students who are unmotivated and have yet to find their niche. Participants are elementary, middle and high school students from Williamsport Area School District and Loyalsock Township School District. The Project provides an opportunity for youth to become involved in high interest activities while at the same time experiencing the practical principles involved with high standards, teamwork, and community pride. Participants engage in the personal introspection necessary to achieve their goals while learning how to believe in themselves. Participants are given the building blocks of self- esteem: (a) Security (b) Self-hood (c) Trust (d) Affiliation (e) Mission (f) Competence CAPPA's Youth Intervention and Development Project is based on a simple concept, meet youth where they are, offer high interest alternatives to negative behavior, encourage civic responsibility, promote academic excellence and bolster self-esteem. CAPPA seeks to motivate the unmotivated, engage the disengaged, and create interactions that support development and inspire all program participants to strive for excellence and civic responsibility THE MISSION STATEMENT and CORRELATION TO THE PROJECT CAPPA's mission statement "seeks to motivate, engage and support the development of youth. CAPPA further seeks to focus, direct, and empower young idle minds toward good character, high self-esteem and academic excellence." This mission is the articulation of the essence of the program and all of its components. It is a fact that what you do most is what you will do best. CAPPA provides extended opportunities for youth to be involved in high interest activities that are attractive while at the same time enforcing academic excellence, good character and civic mindedness. Outside of the school day we strive for CAPPA Youth Intervention and Development Project to become what youth do the most. GOALS * To provide innovative youth intervention and development programs * Build structures and offer opportunities to decrease self-destructive behavior * Target and engage young people in positive and meaningful high interest activities * Educate and encourage today's youth to become good decision-makers and problem solvers * Enroll younger participants (age 7) to influence learning and behavior patterns * Through mentorship component, reinforce school-related attitudes and ideas that will impact violence within our community * Create future opportunities by providing continued guidance, initiating incentives and motivation to encourage completion of high school * Provide a safe and drug free environment * Establish a comprehensive after school learning center that provides academic instruction and value based training * Provide summer employment opportunities through community partnerships CAPPA YOUTH INTERVENTION AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT STRATEGIES USED TO MEET GOALS Summer Basketball League is comprised of 12 teams with an enrollment for the 2005 season of 140 youth, ages 7-15. The CAPPA Summer Basketball League is the vehicle that delivers quality mentoring and supports positive communication between adults and children. Through the expertise of league coaches each participant learns the value of sportsmanship and teamwork. Each coach/mentor becomes a part of the player's unofficial extended family. It takes a community to raise a child and the Summer Basketball League is apart of that community. The bar of expectation is high and each player must attend workshops, demonstrate good sportsmanship and discipline and also participate in volunteer community service projects in order to be eligible to play on game day. Coaches instill pride and raise self-esteem in each member of the team. Teaching the benefits of organized sports is a long standing Williamsport tradition and The CAPPA Summer Basketball League is no exception. The program takes place at Penns Sports Complex located at Penn Vale, courtesy of Lycoming Housing Authority. The leagues teams are from Williamsport, South Williamsport and Loyalsock and Montoursville communities. The program runs June through August. For the past three years the program has been executed by community volunteers i.e. project director, administrative assistant, league coordinator, coaches/mentors. A fall 2005 basketball expansion program is scheduled to take place in collaboration with Williamsport Area School District at two middle schools and will provide an extended day incentive and opportunity for students attending their schools' after school homework and tutoring programs. Young Artists In Action: A Creative and Performing Arts/Cultural Enrichment Initiative (12-month program) Positive and constructive activities have been proven effective in reducing at-risk behavior and creating opportunity. Training in the arts can provide this outlet. Young Artists in Action, a performing arts initiative targets those youth in elementary through high school that are not sports oriented and may not have found their niche in other school activities. Participants involved in Young Artists in Action receive hands on experience in recording music, artist development, and other activities related to the preparation and distribution of today's most popular music genres. Working closely with music producers, established artists, and creative arts coaches, we hope to captivate and inspire each participant's innate individual creative style thereby boosting self-esteem. We hope to motivate and encourage each participant toward positive self-expression and the personal introspection necessary for each individual to discover their own personal self-worth. The program is held at CAPPA's new creative and performing arts studio/technology center. The facility is located at Penn Vale, courtesy of Lycoming Housing Authority. The Annual Every Child Counts Young Artists in Action Performing Artists Showcase utilizes the expertise of local area performing arts professionals. Participants work along with performing arts professionals and volunteers to develop their emerging talent. This program is done in collaboration with the Williamsport Area School District and Loyalsock Township School District. The Annual Performing Artist Showcase is televised via Suscom cable. The Summer Employment Initiative recruits young men and women ages 15 -18 from low and moderate-income families to provide summer employment opportunities. The initiative works in partnership with the local YMCA to provide summer employment opportunities for high school and college students working as summer camp counselors, food service workers and pool staff. Working in collaboration with the YMCA, CAPPA refers suitable candidates for employment and provides necessary follow-up to reinforce good work ethics. The program is an innovative opportunity for young people to experience the gratification that comes from being a successful and productive member of the community. Double Dutch League/Drill Team - Double Dutch League and a Dance/Drill Team for girls between the ages of 7 and 18 will be added during the fall 2005. This serves as an extended day incentive and opportunity for students attending Williamsport Area and Loyalsock Township School Districts' after school programs. Youth will be given the opportunity to practice drill and rope skipping exercise in preparation for team positions at national and international events. The project director and community volunteers will execute this initiative. The Youth Empowerment Workshop Series is a requisite for participation in all Youth Intervention and Development Project Programs. Youth Empowerment Workshops Series is coordinated by a Masters Degree certified school counselor and community volunteers. Youth Empowerment Workshop Series: * Self-Esteem Training * Conflict resolution training * Gang prevention * Anti- Bullying Program including cyber-bullying * Anger and Stress Management * Dealing with Peer Pressure Module * HIV/Aids Awareness Training * Drug Alcohol and Tobacco Awareness and Prevention Volunteer Community Service Program is designed to promote civic responsibility for CAPPA participants. Listed are the volunteer community service projects completed to date: * Clean Up and Awareness Day * American Red Cross Blood Drive information distribution * Provided clean-up for The Annual Community Juneteenth Celebration * Provided support in the winterization of Camp Victory, a camp for special needs children * Provided landscaping and beautification services for the Kennedy King Public Housing Project Mentorship Students from Lycoming College, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Lock Haven University, Mansfield University, Bloomsburg University, parents and community volunteers mentor and support CAPPA Youth Intervention and Development Project programs and participants. PROJECT BENEFITS /OUTCOMES CAPPA has identified the following direct outcomes for youth that participate in the project. * Building resistance skills * Development of pro-social skills * Development of personal skills * Increased self-esteem * Participation in decision making * Development of creative thinking skills * Improved verbal and non verbal communication * Increased parental advocacy for school aged children * Decreased street gang participation * Decreased use of drug, alcohol and tobacco * Increased community collaborations and partnerships MEASURING BENEFITS AND OUTCOMES CAPPA's Academic Support Program (ASP) is designed to promote supplemental services under 'No Child Left Behind' Legislation. ASP provides community-based coordination and collaboration for parents and participants to help participants maximize school success. The Academic Support Program request parents sign a release of information form so that school records may be obtained. ASP helps participants and parents identify areas of needed improvement. CAPPA requires that all participants remain in good academic standing or be willing to work on improvement goals. The Youth Empowerment Workshop series will provide for pre and post testing to monitor gains as a result of participation. Direct observation will also be used to constantly evaluate the effectiveness of the project. AIDING IN THE ELIMINATION OF SLUM AND BLIGHT Blighted areas and typical slums are created in poverty stricken areas where typically much of the hope necessary for prosperity has been removed. Life in these areas becomes filled with sub-cultural norms that become a part of the lives of many of those living there. CAPPA Youth Intervention and Development Project programs seek to bring hope into what on the surface appears like a pretty hopeless situation. According to the National Education Association, January 2005, closing the Gap http://www.nea.org/neatoday/0501/coverstory.html, "if you are a 17 year old Black or Hispanic student, odds are you probably read no better than a 13 year old white kid. Likewise, if you live on the other side of the tracks, you'll probably struggle to graduate from high school. One out of three poor students drops out of school without a diploma." Slums and blight are the result of gaps in education, housing, employment, income, health and social services. There is an increasing need for specifically targeted programs to reach the new urban youth to aid in the prevention/elimination of slums and blight. CAPPA Youth Intervention and Development Project seeks to change the focus from defining the problem to doing something about it. Solutions to the problem of slums and blight and at risk youth must address the cause. Research confirms that youth explore delinquent behavior in search of recognition, achievement and self expression. The CAPPA Youth Intervention and Development Project provide an innovative approach to address these needs. REPRODUCTION OF CAPPA Inc. YOUTH INTERVENTION AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders Today The program has been made available for use. For permission to use copyright and technical assistance for implementation. Please contact: Loni Gamble Executive Director CAPPA Inc. 1919 Lincoln Drive Williamsport, PA Community Alliance for Progressive Positive Action Youth Intervention and Development Project 2005 PAHRA Best Practice Award Recipient Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders … Today