Youth & Family Programs
South Side Help Center’s Youth Programs offer comprehensive services to support youth aged 10-24 in achieving success, building self-esteem, and embracing values that enable them to thrive as productive members of society.
Programs Benefits
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Social and Emotional Learning: Regular participation enhances social and emotional competencies, boosts self-worth, and improves concentration. Youth also learn to make healthier decisions, manage emotions effectively, and achieve personal and collective goals.
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Academic Support: Consistent attendance leads to increased school participation and improved academic performance.
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Safety: Our programs provide a safe environment after school, with youth expressing that they feel more secure in supervised settings.
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Leadership Development: Participation in our programs fosters leadership skills through mentorship opportunities, group projects, and community involvement activities. Youth learn to take initiative, build confidence, and develop critical thinking skills, preparing them to become future leaders in their communities.
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Healthy Lifestyle Promotion: Our programs encourage physical well-being and mental health through activities focused on fitness, nutrition, and wellness education. Participants gain knowledge about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, and making informed choices that support long-term health and well-being.
Out of School Time Programs
Youth Self Enhancement Program (YSEP)
Designed for 5th–8th grade students, YSEP offers a supportive, nurturing environment where young minds thrive both academically and personally. Participants receive homework assistance, build essential computer skills, and gain hands -on experience in planning special events. Participants also participate in guided discussions on navigating the changes of puberty, exploring self-identity, and developing critical life skills such as time management, interpersonal communication, networking, and problem-solving. Through engaging group activities, YSEP fosters unity, teamwork, and leadership development.
During the summer, YSEP offers a vibrant mix of recreational activities, creative arts, and prevention programs. Youth take an active role in planning activities, participating in weekly field trips, and exploring new interests that broaden their horizons while creating lasting memories.
Creatively Relating Entertainment and Arts To Education (CREATE)
CREATE is an interactive peer leadership program designed for 9th–12th graders and young adults, empowering youth to use their creativity as a tool for personal growth and community impact. The program focuses on preventing violence and substance abuse through dynamic, youth-driven projects such as poetry, video production, podcasts, vlogs, newspapers, skits, and plays. Participants not only express their voices on critical issues but also develop leadership, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving skills. Weekly discussions and group activities create a supportive space for teens to reflect, connect, and lead with purpose.
Parent Engagement Programs
Parent Mentor Program
The Parent Mentor Program, in partnership with the Parent Engagement Institute, empowers African American and Latino parents to become leaders in their families, schools, and communities. Through hands-on training and mentorship, parents develop new skills, gain access to educational and employment opportunities, and serve as positive role models for their children.
By actively engaging in classrooms and school activities, Parent Mentors provide essential support to teachers, contribute to a more parent-friendly school climate, and help improve student achievement and overall learning experiences. This program strengthens family-school partnerships, fostering a stronger, more engaged community dedicated to student success.
EngagEd Parents Program
The EngagEd Parents program is designed to empower parents as active partners in their children’s education and as advocates for thriving school communities. Through dynamic workshops, comprehensive resources, and leadership development opportunities, the program equips parents with the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to engage meaningfully with schools. Parents learn how to influence educational decisions, support their children’s academic and personal growth, and collaborate effectively with educators and other families. EngagEd Parents fosters a strong network of informed, connected families dedicated to driving positive change within their schools and communities.
School- Based Education
Botvin Life Skills Program
Botvin Life Skills Program is a proven, evidence-based prevention program designed to equip students with the skills needed to make healthy choices, build resilience, and navigate life’s challenges. Using the Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) curriculum, this program empowers youth with essential tools in self-management, decision-making, conflict resolution, and substance abuse prevention.
Through engaging lessons and interactive activities, students develop critical thinking, emotional regulation, and social skills that enhance their overall well-being and academic success. By fostering positive youth development and reducing risk factors, the program helps create a supportive school environment where students feel empowered to make responsible choices and build a foundation for lifelong success.
Family Violence and Prevention Programs
South Side Help Center’s Family Violence Prevention & Life Skills Program equips youth with the social and problem-solving skills necessary to address conflict and build healthy, non-violent relationships. Through interactive workshops, participants learn conflict resolution, violence prevention, behavior modification, anger management, leadership development, communication skills, values clarification, and positive relationship-building. The program also explores the impact of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs as they relate to family and community violence.
Participants develop a deeper understanding of family dynamics, community norms, and the attitudes and values that contribute to violence. They learn how to recognize, resist, and communicate effectively with individuals displaying violent behaviors, while engaging in skill-building activities that promote emotional regulation and constructive decision-making. By providing positive alternatives to meet their psychological, physical, and social needs, this program fosters healing, empowerment, and resilience within families and communities.
Groups
