Youth Empowerment Program

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news and events

NEWSLETTER (requires Adobe Reader)

• Volume I, Issue 1: October 2006 - February 2007
• Volume I, Issue 2: March 2007 - April 2007
• Volume I, Issue 3: Sept. 2007- Nov. 2007
• Volume 2, Issue 5: January - March 2008
• Volume 3, Issue 6: April - June 2008

ADDITIONAL NEWS AND EVENTS

The Youth Empowerment Program would like to welcome new and returning eigth graders at Communities in School Academy! Please take the opportunity to look over the newsletters to see what activities and events that we have been involved in over the years.

If you wish to view other pictures from the YEP 2007 Summer Program, please click on this link. If you wish to view pictures from the 2007- 2008 school year, please click on this link. The UNC Pembroke Youth Empowerment Program's session with the UNCP International Students is featured on page 6 of the UNCP Braves Bulletin.

December Events

During the month of December, YEP students painted and decorated wooden jewelry boxes as Christmas presents for their parents. The students completed these projects in two sessions. At the end of session two, the boxes were distributed to students to take home to their parents.

YEP students that held a 3.0 GPA for the nine week academic period were given CD players  for their academic achievement.

Mrs. Linda Hughes, the Health Education Specialist from the Robeson County Health Department provided a session on railroad safety and reading awareness. She distributed pamphlets on railroad safety and  discussed the importance of being cautious at railroad crossings. She also discussed with the students the importance of reading in their spare time.

The YEP Christmas Social was held on December 14, 2007 at the UNC Pembroke Annex Center. There were over 80 YEP staff, students, parents and family members in attendance. The YEP program provided dinner and entertainment to YEP students and family. The entertainment was provided by Ms. Ellen Bullard with her joyous Christmas songs. YEP staff distributed newsletters for the 2007 year. YEP staff also distributed door prizes during the Christmas Social. The YEP staff also collected toys from YEP parents for the “Christmas Cheer” program at the Robeson County Department of Social Services.

On December 17, 2007, YEP staff and several students traveled to the Robeson County Department of Social Services to distribute the toys collected for the “Christmas Cheer” program. These toys will donated to needy families as Christmas gifts for youth under the age of seventeen.

YEP staff and several students also traveled to the Morning Star Rest Homes in Pembroke, N.C. on December 18, 2007 to distribute fruit baskets and sugar free candies.

The Super Saturday trip was on December 21, 2007. YEP staff, students and parents traveled to Charlotte, N.C. to the Charlotte Bobcats arena. YEP staff, students and parents watched the Charlotte Bobcats defeat the New York Knicks 105-95. The YEP staff, students and parents also had dinner at the Golden Corral in Charlotte, N.C.

November Events

During the month of November, students participated in various activities for American Indian Heritage Month. The YEP students traveled to the Indian Cultural Center for American Indian Heritage Month. The cultural center offered numerous activities for youth such as storytelling, arts& crafts, a nature trail and museum tours. The students also attended the Kevin Locke Dance Ensemble for a Native American dance performance. The students also worked with mentors to make posters displaying the American Indian contributions to the world.

Ms. Lashonda Miller from the Robeson County Health Department provided an awareness and prevention session on Sexually Transmitted Infections and Risky Behaviors. The students participated in a game where students assessed the risk of a certain activity. The students would decide the level of risk for a certain activity and then go to one of the areas labeled risky, maybe risky, and no risk. Ms. Miller discussed the myths and facts of sexual risks.

Mrs. Juanita Lynge from the Robeson County Health Department provided sessions on Spanish heritage and culture. She taught the students a Spanish dance similar to the Electric Slide. She also showed the students how to make tortillas. Ms. Lynge also traveled with YEP staff and students to San Jose for lunch to help students learn more about the Spanish cuisine.

The students also traveled with YEP staff to distribute gift bags to the elderly at TRIO Rest Homes in Pembroke, N.C. The students had a chance to hand out the gifts and talk with the elderly individually. The elderly received various body and hair care products in their gift bags.

October Events

The month of October was a busy week for the UNC-Pembroke Youth Empowerment Program (YEP). The YEP students were introduced to the new Prevention Specialist, Myia Revels and the UNC-Pembroke mentors. The students participated in a session on Gender Roles. The boys and girls were divided into groups to discuss the roles of males and females and the “traditional” roles that they play in society.

YEP had various speakers come in to discuss their careers and specializations. The students also participated in Spanish Dance and Bingo with Mrs. Juanita Lynge from the Robeson County Health Department. Mr. Earl Demery from the Pembroke Fire Department also discussed fire prevention and safety for Fire Prevention Week. The students were given the opportunity to roam inside the Fire Truck and learn about the equipment used on fire trucks. Kelvin Locklear from the N.C. State Highway Patrol discussed with the students the dangers of alcohol and alcohol. He also delivered a presentation on the consequences of driving under the influence during Red Ribbon Week.

The Youth Empowerment Wednesday programming and after school begin this month.  Students in after school were offered academic assistance with homework and problem areas. Also, students attended physical fitness and wellness sessions with the UNC-Pembroke Athletics department during after school and Wednesday programming. Students in after school went bowling and swimming at UNC-Pembroke.

The first Super Saturday trip was held on October 27, 2007. The students went to Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, S.C. to learn about aquatic life. The students also went to Ryan’s Steakhouse for lunch.

September Events

During the month of September, the Youth Empowerment program tested students at the UNC-Pembroke Regional Center. Students were tested in various areas such as Reading Comprehension, Math and Language Arts under the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) are state-aligned computerized adaptive assessments that provide accurate, useful information about student achievement and growth (http://www.nwea.org/).

YEP also held an orientation with parents and students on September 27, 2007. YEP staff discussed with parents and students the enrollment packages, upcoming events and the purpose of the Youth Empowerment Program. YEP staff also held an orientation with the UNC-Pembroke student mentors. Fredrick Stephens and Deborah Branch from the Social Work Department discussed with mentors the importance of empowering youth and the purpose of mentors working with at risk youth. The YEP students also completed the 2007 Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the Pittsburgh Youth Study.

Updated: Friday, September 5, 2008

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