Program Components | pascoyouthhaven

Component #1: Outreach:

Kids don't generally trust adults or come to them for help, so we need to reach out to them. Outreach is going where kids are, getting their attention, and earning their trust. It is going where kids are at and meeting them on their terms in their own territory. It is about not sitting in an office waiting for them to ask for help, it all about going to them and offering the support.

Simply put outreach is going to kids and making yourself available to them

Component #2: Prevention:

Most kids have one major problem: being bored and having nothing to do. This can lead to crime, drug abuse, sex, and other issues. If a kid is bored with nothing to do, chances are they will fill their time with negative things. Prevention is about preventing problems kids get themselves into or get caught up in. It's about helping ALL kids not get into trouble to begin with.

Prevention is also about helping kids who are already at risk of getting in trouble. Studies have shown certain populations of young people are at higher risk than others of getting into trouble. Youth Haven provides a mentoring program of individualized attention for these youth to ensure they stay on the right path to preserve their future.

Component #3: Intervention:

Some Kids need an extra helping hand in life. We believe no kid is beyond help, but many kids fall through the cracks in the system and never get the help they need to get them out of trouble. Intervention is stepping in a helping kids who are already in some sort of trouble, or kids who just need an extra helping hand. Intervention is help on a one on one basis for kids who need it.

Component #4: Education:

"How do you get a driver's license?" "How do I find a job?" "Do I want to go to college, and if so how do I apply?" "Do I need a bank account?" "Why should I have good credit?" Years ago, parents were able to answer these questions and help their child transition into adulthood, however in today's fast paced society sometimes kids lack anybody to answer these basic questions for them. They need help with real life skills in order to become successful in their transition into adulthood and make the most of their future. This is education that prepares youth for the future.

Component #5: Inspiration:

Each kid needs one thing: Hope, hope in this life...and in the one to come. Hope that their life is significant and of value, and hope in a power greater than themselves to get them through life and inspire them to become their best that they can be.

Component #6: Leadership:

Most youth today are distant from adults and often distrust anyone with authority. Even if help is offered by an adult, youth are often unwilling to trust anyone with their personal problems, especially someone in authority. Kids spend most of their time around their friends who hold this place of trust in their lives and exert a huge influence over them. Youth can best be reached by their own peers. The biggest opportunity to make a difference in the lives of youth comes from enabling youth to reach out to one another and provide positive leadership to their peers. Recognizing this Youth Lead trains and equips youth to reach their peers.

Component #7: Advocacy:

In today's world everyone is concerned about their rights. Everyone has them, and usually every group has someone to champion their cause or advocate for them. Youth need this as well. Advocacy is fighting for the rights of youth both collectively for polices that benefit kids and program to help them, or individually for the rights of a youth not being represented properly and falling through the "cracks" in the system. Advocacy is simply being on kid's side and fighting for them, be it for all kids rights or one individual's.