Children and Youth Services Improvement Initiative (CYS-II)

Karamu House plans to increase the reach of its Child and Youth Services to expand its service offerings in the field of digital arts to youth between the ages of 5 and 17. By acquiring a reliable means of transportation for program participants and outreach performances, Karamu intends to expand the target demographic to youth from Cleveland's Westside. By expanding its digital/computer-based arts programs, Karamu seeks to provide students with access to critical skills in today's world that they do not receive in their school setting. By providing a plethora of activities for youth to engage in, Karamu House provides care, structure, and guidance for children of parents who cannot provide for them themselves, due to single parenthood, work obligation, or other encumbrances.
The goal of the program is to positively influence the academic careers of an increased number of youth without compromising program quality and experience. The program will also provide participants with programs that engage them in constructive ways and provide them with the structured environment and guidance needed to outgrow systemic disadvantages. The following measures will be monitored: number of program youth served; number of program/service hours completed by program youth; number of program materials developed; and the number of program staff trained. NCA/NCF