Get Ready to Leave Your Block

The YMCA invites teens ages 11-17 to “Leave Your Block” and explore the world beyond their neighborhood and learn more about themselves and what their future can hold!

Participants will:

Take day trips and camping trips to national parks
Explore STEM careers exploration and connections featuring (environmental science) with a National Park Ranger
Build 21^st Century Skills with teen talks and storytelling sessions
Talk with mentors and community leaders to inspire academic excellence, and build grit and resilience

Travel to different cities, explore cultural and historic institutions, discover the thrill of new experiences, and explore the great outdoors. Sign up today!

For additional info, please contact Michael Fields at michael.field@ymcadc.org.

YMCA BOYS AND YOUNG MEN OF COLOR STRATEGY

The Leave Your Block program is part of the YMCA’s national “Boys and Young Men of Color” (BYMOC) strategy, which builds on, and invests in, pathways to success to help boys and young men of color reach their full potential.

ENSURING EQUITABLE OUTCOMES FOR BOYS AND YOUNG MEN OF COLOR

The BYMOC Strategy ensures equitable outcomes for boys and young men of color ages 11-17 by removing systemic barriers, providing relevant services and support systems and creating nurturing environments that promote confidence and growth

WHY WE FOCUS ON BOYS AND YOUNG MEN OF COLOR

They are twice as likely to grow up in poverty
They are more likely to live in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty
They are more likely to fall into poverty as adults, regardless of background

BYMOC IMPLEMENTATION

The BYMOC Strategy is designed for flexible implementation through policies, practices, and programs that can be defined by the needs of each community and Y, including the following areas.

Education

Impact their attitudes toward education
Empower them to believe in their capabilities
Prepare them with the skills to achieve academic success

College & Career Readiness

Create pipelines to connect them with post-secondary education and meaningful jobs
Provide work-based learning experiences, financial education, skills development, career and college planning and resource navigation opportunities

Character Development

Create experiences and environments that strengthen social-emotional competencies
Support character development across the Y’s core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility

Belonging and Community Building

Help them build healthy relationships with peers and adults
Foster their positive cultural- and self-identity
Support opportunities for community connections and civic engagement

Health & Well-Being

Help them develop healthy physical and eating habits
Teach them about lifestyle changes that can prevent chronic conditions in adulthood such as diabetes and heart disease

BOYS AND YOUNG MEN OF COLOR STRATEGY GOALS

By 2024, the BYMOC Strategy seeks to achieve the following outcomes for 10,000 boys and young men of color across 100 cities across the U.S.:

70% of participants will access high-quality, nurturing and more culturally responsive neighborhood environments
75% of participants will have stabilized and improved grades by reducing suspensions and improving school attendance
100% of participants will have completed pre- and post-assessment for social-emotional learning
75% of participants will access high quality post-secondary and career-ready pathways