Harrisburg Institute Youth Empowerment Initiative

The Messiah College Harrisburg Institute was created to build collaborative partnerships with community agencies to address common issues in the city of Harrisburg. Harrisburg Institute's Youth Empowerment Initiative seeks to reduce school failure through building a network of community agencies using research-based mentoring strategies for at-risk youth in the Harrisburg School District. In collaboration with the Harrisburg School District, the initiative's primary activity will be the operation of a network of community organizations to offer mentoring services to youth grades seven through ten participating in Harrisburg's Alternative School Program. The project seeks to serve 300 youth over a three-year period. Progress will be measured by improvement in academic skills and school attendance of students participating in the network mentoring programs. The project will also track transition time for student mentees integrating from Alternative Schools to regular school programs. NCA/NCF