Youth Development Initiative

The OJJDP FY 09 Earmarks Programs further the Department's mission by providing grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance authorized by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended, to organizations identified in the Explanatory Statement Regarding H.R. 1105 (Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009), 155 Cong. Rec. H1653 (daily ed. Feb. 23, 2009) (statement by Rep. Obey, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of the House).

This initiative targets adolescents, and is designed to help develop positive behaviors in each teen and deter the development of negative behaviors. The Community YMCA (CYMCA) will provide multi dimensional supportive services enabling each child the opportunity to fulfill his or her own individual potential. The framework of the service delivery model is based on the nationally recognized YMCA Minority Achievers Program. This program, which first began at the Harlem YMCA in New York City, provides each participating teen the opportunity to develop a stronger commitment to education, increased employability skills and an improved connection to their community at-large. The YMCA staff will travel to local middle and high schools, as well as other community based organizations forming cluster groups to meet and connect with the students in the local community.

NCA/NCF