Downtown Branch Teen Programs

Malik Moore, Director of

Community Youth Services
(216) 263-6294
mmoore@clevelandymca.org

Brittney Walker

(216)-263-6863

bwalker@clevelandymca.org

For a comprehensive list of all our programs please click here.

If you want to see how the YMCA's Community Youth Services is improving your community check out our Where Here for Good Campaign

Teen Center

Location: Downtown YMCA, 2200 Prospect Avenue

Times: Monday-Thursday

2:30pm-6:30pm

Have you visited the Teen Center? It is a safe space for teens and pre-teens to hang out, play games, get tutoring, and learn about YMCA programs and resources.

It is also home to the Teen Canteen where visitors can purchase an assortment of healthy snacks.

So stop by, hang out, and say hello! We are here Monday through Thursday 2:30p.m. to 6:30p.m. and any day CMSD schools are closed.

Y Family Members, feel free to drop your child off while you exercise.

Call (216) 263-6863 for more information.

Community Youth Services Programs

The Community Youth Services department, the Teen Center and theDowntown YMCA offer various types of programs that engage teens and pre-teens of all ages. Check out what we have to offer below and find a program that is just right for you!

Y Achievers

Advisors

Malik Moore, mmoore@clevelandymca.org

Brittney Walker, bwalker@clevelandymca.org

Brandon Woyma, bwoyma@clevelandymca.org

Time

9am-1pm, 1st and 3rd Saturday of every Month

*Sessions run only during the school year

Description

This teen program focuses on leadership development,

academic excellence, college preparation, character

development, and career exploration for youth

from broken homes or homes with few college

readiness resources. Student Achievers are connected with professional mentorsthat assist them in reaching their goals andgiven opportunities for direct hands on career exploration. Activities include; life skills seminars, career clusters, cultural workshops, college fairs, service learning projects, peer leadership opportunities and more. Each year, the group travels to colleges and universities during spring break. Now the group is gearing up for teen summit in November. Teen summit is a gathering of teensfrom all over the Midwest for a professional conference that includes a weekend stay in a hotel, field activities in the host city, and the opportunity to make friends from all over.

L.I.F.E. (Living in Female Empowerment)

Advisor

Brittney Walker, bwalker@clevelandymca.org

Description

L.I.F.E. (LIVING IN FEMALE EMPOWERMENT)
This program is about empowering girls at various stages of development. While it includes leadership and character development, the central aim of the L.I.F.E. program is to help girls as they make the transition from girlhood to adolescence. The program strives to help young ladies become respectful, respectable, and confident young women who are able and unafraid to make positive decisions or reach out for help. Girls finish the program with a renewed sense of themselves, improved self esteem and perception of themselves. Ask how you can get the L.I.F.E. program in your school and get empowered!

Youth & Government

Advisors

Malik Moore, mmoore@clevelandymca.org

Brittney Walker, bwalker@clevelandymca.org

Description
YinG is a fun and exciting way to learn about government! Teens from across the city meet in their local clubs throughout the year to discuss and debate issues that affect citizens of their state and to propose possible legislation to make state government more efficient. Students also have the opportunity to lobby student written bills that will be presented before a mock legislature and senate. On the other side, students have the

opportunity to prepare appeal cases and present them before a mock supreme court, on which they also serve as Supreme Court justices. The program culminates with the teens serving as delegates at their state conference, debating bills on the floor of the legislature, and presenting the court cases they have prepared.Some teens have been instrumental in getting bills considered before state officials. For the 2010 conference, students stayed at the Hyatt for 3 day and 2 nights and while they worked during the day, they partied and had fun during the night. If you want to shape your city, this is the place for you!

TEEN COURT

Description

Interested in the legal process? Join Teen Court where teens run the court! Participants learn about the judicial process firsthand as they hear real cases involving first-time non-violent juvenile offenders. They serve as the judges, attorneys, bailiffs and the jury. In this court, teens are given a second chance to correct their mistakes and keep their record clear. While the offending teens still have consequences, their cases are literally decided by a court of their teen peers. They also take time to give back through service learning projects. Join Teen Court and get real experience before you ever get out of High School!

Parent Committee

We invite parents to get involved in the Y-Achievers and L.I.F.E Programs. Parents can assist with program activities, events and fundraising. Call (216) 263-6294 to volunteer.

Contact Information

Interested in joining? Feel free to contact Malik Moore (216) 263-6294 or Brittney Walker (216)-263-6863 for more information about our programs and how you can get involved today!