Youth Development

3 Programs:

• Neighborhood Based Programs - PPL Scholars & Leaders
• College House Residential Tutor/Mentor Programs
• Community Partners Program at Partnership Academy

1 Purpose:

"Helping youth succeed in school and succeed in life."

   

Who we are:

• 300 youth/teens
• 250+ volunteers
• 9 AmeriCorps members
• 4 full time staff members

Youth Development Program Goals 2007-08:

In the 2007-08 program year we expect to serve 300+ youth from low-income households in the metro region through our in school, after school and summer programs. 

Our target outcomes are:

• 300 children (100 percent) will set academic goals.
• 150 children (50 percent) will show an average of one grade level increase and/or attain grade level average in reading or math using internal assessments.
• 240 children (80 percent) will report feeling more confident in their ability to complete schoolwork due to the additional resource of a tutor/mentor.
• Parents of 180 of participating children (60 percent) will report that their child has a better attitude toward school and learning.
• 180 children (60 percent) will demonstrate a positive behavior change as reported by their parents.

PPL Scholars & Leaders

Neighborhood Based (NB) programs are year round and divided into two different program offerings, PPL Scholars, serving k-5th graders and PPL Leaders, serving 6th-12th graders. 

A high percentage of NB participants live in PPL housing, located in New Hope, St. Louis Park and South Minneapolis, which allows us to make an especially strong connection with their families.  The goal of both groups is to help participants achieve success in school and develop the skills and habits they need to succeed in life. 

Both PPL Scholars and Leaders programs involves parents, youth, teachers, volunteers and PPL AmeriCorps staff working together to create a caring environment that enhances academic and social skill development, while having fun.  All groups meet twice a week, one night the focus is on academic work one-to-one or in small groups with tutor/mentors, and the other night youth are exposed to experiential learning, enrichment projects and service learning activities. 

[ more about PPL Scholars ]

PPL College House Program

Youth from PPL housing and local elementary schools are connected with college students who serve as tutor/mentors and positive role models.  The college students help youth participants achieve academic success while helping them build self-esteem, develop social skills and gain an appreciation for others. 

The participating college students live in three PPL managed multi-unit buildings where each house is home to a tutoring center.  All buildings are located in the Phillips neighborhood in south Minneapolis. The program also features field trips and group activities that build positive relationships with children, families and neighborhood residents.  Each College house youth can expect a minimum of 2 hours per week of tutoring and mentoring time during the academic year.

[ more about College House ]

PPL Community Partners Program at Partnership Academy
The Community Partners Program (CPP) is housed at Partnership Academy, a PPL sponsored charter school, serving grades kindergarten through 6th grade.  CPP taps into the many valuable resources available in the community and connects students with other caring adults who provide structured academic support and positive role modeling.  CPP offers a wide array of youth activities both during and after-school at Partnership Academy. This initiative is designed to help children improve academic performance by providing extensive learning options and utilizing many valuable volunteer resources available to them in the Richfield community.  

CPP’s objective is to deliver community services—mentoring, tutoring, and resource referral to Partnership Academy students and families. In addition to a heavy emphasis on reading and math, the school cultivates community and parental involvement through its partnership with PPL and the Community Partners Program. 

[ more about PPL Community Partners Program ]