Youth and Young Adults

YMCA Future Professionals (YFP); A Premiere Y Achiever's Program:

A Career and College Prep program for youth in grades 8-12. These young people participate in the following activities:

• You University – Monthly college tours to Michigan colleges, universities and trade schools. Parents are welcome to attend.
• YMAGIC – Young Misses Achieving Greatness in Communities: For Girls Only! A mentorship and social development program that helps young ladies manage those turbulent hormones and confusing teen years. There is a special emphasis on developing healthy relationships with young men, friends, family and adults.
• YMOVES – Young Men of Vision and Excellent Service: For Boys Only! A mentorship and social development program that helps young men manage those turbulent hormones and confusing teen years. There is a special emphasis on developing healthy relationships with young ladies, friends, family, and adults.
• Working World – Students meet working professionals, tour local businesses and learn about emerging and high demand careers. We strive to show young people what's possible for their lives.
• Healthy Choices – Students will participate in an array of physical fitness activities conducted by fitness professionals: wall climbing, aerobics, water basketball, and more. They will also learn how to select nutritious meals. Your body is just as important as your mind. We want our young people to maintain active lifestyles to optimize their health.
• Random Acts of Art – Creativity and problem solving are essential to becoming a great leader. The Arts help develop these vital skills. Students will experiment in graphic arts, video production, dance, ceramic arts, music and so much more. They will use the arts to express themselves and learn about viable arts careers.
• Teen Leadership Council – Teens help lead the Metro Youth YMCA. These young leaders help plan activities and programs. They spearhead community service projects and make sure our programs meet their needs.
• Senioritis – For High School SENIORS only! This session helps 12th graders stay focused on their academics while managing all the stress, pressures, and activities that permeate their final year of high school. Special sessions are also hosted for their parents.

YFP truly focuses on the whole child. It embraces their spirit, mind and body throughout the school year. It is the core YMCA Achiever Program. YMCAs have been operating Minority Achiever's programs for over 30 years.

FreshEyes: A Media Arts Initiative for Detroiters ages 19-21

100% Scholarships are available for residents who qualify under the Workforce Investment Act

This young adult program has one primary purpose: to help older youth own their lives. The most significant learning we hope to instill in young adults is Fresh Eyes. We want them to look at the world and see opportunity rather than obstacles. We want them to see themselves as assets, not problems. We aim to inspire them through their creation of videos, music and poetry. Inspire them to them develop and execute a viable career plan-resulting in employment. This will be achieved by engaging young people in these activities:

• YMediaARTS - Students will learn basic multimedia production skills to develop content for the following art career disciplines: music production, video production, web page creation and publishing.
• YLIFE - Young adults will learn how to navigate relationships with friends, families and the community. The goal is to teach participants how to manage conflict responsibly, how to identify and develop healthy relationships--while simultaneously being able to identify, leave or cure unhealthy relationships.
• Healthy Choices – Students will participate in an array of physical fitness activities conducted by fitness professionals: wall climbing, aerobics, water basketball, and more. They will also learn the importance of getting adequate rest, eating nutritional foods, exercising, and abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and drugs. We understand that if our young people do not take care of their health they will not be good employees or entrepreneurs.
• Working World - It's all about careers. What are career options? Meet working professionals and tour various businesses. Learn how to create a plan to secure your dream job! Activities include resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, job search skills: networking, social media etiquette and more.

Counseling and life coach sessions will be available to qualified students by appointment. Participants who qualify will also be given a limited Boll YMCA membership to use the YMCA facilities.

This pilot program begins December 2010 – June 2011. Contact Latitia McCree at Lmccree@ymcametrodetroit.org for more information and qualifications.

YCareerWise

Teens gain real world work experience usually during the summer months-- through paid and unpaid internships at local businesses and community organizations. They learn best practices to help them gain employment. Students learn how to dress, speak and proper etiquette. Participants meet industry professionals from many different occupations: entrepreneurs, attorneys, engineers, politicians and more. Students develop a portfolio, including of a resume, cover letter, references and work samples. Students become polished young professionals.

US College Tours

High school students spend spring break with the Metro Youth YMCA visiting colleges throughout the United States. Tour historically black colleges and Ivy League institutions. Learn what resources are available and discover the right college for you.
view the tour brochure...

Teen SuccessFest

Teens and their parents join together from all over Metro Detroit, one Saturday each year to mix and mingle, meet college reps, learn about exciting careers, share ideas with others and gain the tips, tricks and secrets to make their career dreams reality.

Scholarship

The Metro Youth YMCA offers college scholarships from $500-$5000 to local students enrolled in MYY programs.
download a scholarship application...

Individual Development Accounts (IDA)

Participants in the Individual Development Accounts (IDA program learn how to manage their finances and plan for their financial futures. A savings-match component encourages participants to apply sound fiscal management principles. Designed for all students in grades 10 – 12. Program is closed. There are no openings at this time.

K-12 School Based Programs

Camp Phoenix

The BEST SUMMER CAMP-- Period, end of statement!
We marry academics and fun so children in grades pre-K through 6 and higher have the summer of their dreams. This is achieved while they work to improve their reading, writing, math, science and social skills. All learning is hands-on. Students learn through experiments and games. Program sites include: Pontiac Schools’ Rogers Elementary, Detroit Service Learning Academy and the Detroit Leadership Academy. Contact Lisa Senac for details at Lsenac@ymcametrodetroit.org.

SOS

Step of Success is a YMCA academic enrichment tutoring program created in partnership with Kensington Church and the Pontiac Schools. The primary focus is to help children with challenges in reading, math and science to:

• see themselves as learners
• embrace education
• have fun and learn

The YMCA’s Camp Phoenix SOS program operates in Pontiac currently at Rogers Elementary where 50-100 students are served each year. Students are referred by their teachers based on the child’s educational needs. Contact Lisa Senac for details at Lsenac@ymcametrodetroit.org.

YMAGIC

Young Misses Achieving Greatness in Communities: For Girls Only! A mentorship and social development program that nurtures young women as they navigate those turbulent hormones and confusing adolescent years. There is a special emphasis on developing healthy relationships with young men, friends, family, and adults. Participating schools include: David Ellis Academy, Detroit Leadership Academy, Hanley Elementary, Star International Academy and Woodward Academy. If you want this program at your school Contact Nicole Richard at NRichard@ymcametrodetroit.org.

YMOVES

Young Men of Vision and Excellent Service: For Boys Only! A mentorship and social development program that supports young men as they navigate those turbulent hormones and confusing adolescent years. There is a special emphasis on developing healthy relationships, with young ladies, friends, family, and adults. Participating schools include: Ace Academy, David Ellis Academy, Detroit Leadership Academy, Hanley Elementary, Star International Academy and Woodward Academy. If you want this program at your school Contact Nicole Richard at NRichard@ymcametrodetroit.org.

YMONEYWISE

What is money? How do you earn it honestly? What is credit? How does one save and build wealth? Youth 11 -17 are taught the basics of money management. Students learn how to write checks and learn the difference between a debit card and a credit card. Participants gain an understanding of advertising and how it affects our consumer choices. They are even educated about payroll taxes and learn the value of saving. If you want this program at your school Contact Nicole Richard at NRichard@ymcametrodetroit.org.

Community Outreach

Adopt A Family

Each year one or more families who demonstrate great need are selected by YMCA students, staff and volunteers to be showered with gifts during the holidays in December. Contact Nicole Richard at NRichard@ymcametrodetroit.org.

VIP: Very Important Parents

YMCA Premiere Parent Club
Parents come together and have loads of fun while they learn from one another how to make sense of those tween and teen years lived by their 11, 12, and 16 year old children. They participate in book clubs, field trips, and more. Parents also raise funds to support the YMCA strong kids campaign to help keep MYY programs available to the community. Contact Terri Mial at Tmial@ymcametrodetroit.org.

Volunteerism

The Metro Youth YMCA has several volunteer opportunities for those ages 16 and older:

Homework Hero: Help students who attend the YMCA Detroit Leadership Academy located in Detroit’ Brightmoor/Castle Rouge community in grades K-5 with their homework after school. You can help one day a week, or one day a month. Anytime you can give is valued.

Scholarship Committee: Help raise dollars to provide scholarships to students to attend Y programs and/or to go to college. Contact Nicole Richard at NRichard@Ymcametrodetroit.org.

Male or Female Volunteer Facilitator: Assist YMCA staff with conducting workshops with middle school and high school youth or serve as a guest career workshop speaker. Contact Nicole Richard at NRichard@ymcametrodetroit.org or Terri Mial at tmial@ymcametrodetroit.org.

Y Achiever’s Alumni

Graduates of any YMCA Achiever’s program join together to help support one another as they navigate through college. They also work together to help support the younger participants. Alumni raise money for scholarships; serve as mentors and guest facilitators. Contact Nicole Richard at NRichard@ymcametrodetroit.org.

Thanksgiving Baskets

Primarily serving Metro Youth YMCA Camp Phoenix Families. Bountiful food baskets are distributed to families in need prior to Thanksgiving each year. Contact Lisa Senac for details at Lsenac@ymcametrodetroit.org.