PROGRAMS
HARAMBEE YOUTH PROGRAM
The Harambee Afterschool Program is operational five days a week, Monday – Friday, immediately after school and is conducted at our facility, 300 N. 10th St. This program is for K-12th grade students. The goals of the program are to close the achievement gap and promote positive behavioral and academic growth by supporting students with extra academic help, positive reinforcement, and an encouraging and safe environment. It is vital for us to deliver our services during the after-school hours when students are most vulnerable to engage in negative behavior unless they are involved in structured activities. Harambee is that safe-haven where adult supervision and structured activities are provided Monday – Friday from 2:45 pm to 6:00 pm. We maintain open lines of communication with the student’s teachers, principals, parents, and caregivers to ensure the homework assistance and cultural exposure the children receive at Harambee is helping to improve their ability to meet the educational goals set by the school. In 2023, we are happy to report 100% of our Harambee participants have shown significant improvement in their grades.
WOMEN OF WORTH (WOW)
Women, have you struggled with being empowered to balance home, marriage, parenting, education, career, finances, and your self-worth? WOW has the answer for you! Come out, sit down, and talk with other women who are struggling with similar issues. Starting Saturday, June 9 and lasting seven weeks, join WOW and experience the inspiration that comes from a gathering a women and a good lunch. The program will run from 11:00am-2pm. RSVP to Lucinda Wright at dr.lucindamwright@aol.com. Sponsored by Townsend Community Center and Ivy Tech Community College
YDEPP (Youth Drug Education Prevention Program)
YDEPP is a unique interactive, evidence based, program which provides age-appropriate non-judgmental education on substance abuse prevention to our youth participants on how to change drinking and drug use behaviors by changing beliefs, attitudes, risk perceptions, motivations, and the knowledge of how to reduce their risk of alcohol- and drug-related problems throughout their lives. Equipping the participants with the appropriate tools to understand the possible risks linked with high-risk alcohol and drug choices is a significant tool to protect what we value.
The applicable information is presented in a non-judgmental way, in a non-judgmental environment. It evokes new thinking and a firm foundation for making decisions about their substance abuse. It helps to increase abstinence. This program assists our youth with substance abuse awareness. As well as, educating those who have abused drugs and/or alcohol to gain the tools to utilize when they have a desire to abuse drugs and/or alcohol.
Education is power. When people know better, we are more likely to do better.
YDEPP is designed to gently but powerfully challenge common beliefs and attitudes that directly contribute to high-risk alcohol and drug use. Assist each youth participant without any known elevated risk factors, who need risk reduction education. Also, this program will assist our youth participants who do display a propensity of increased exposure for developing substance abuse related issues. The program’s objective is to educate our youth as to the pitfalls of substance abuse, in a non-judgmental manner. YDEPP & SWP are taught together.
SWAP
(Student With A Purpose)
SWAP (Student With A Purpose) is an evidence-based mentorship & leadership curriculum implemented by Richmond Community Schools. Three members of Townsend Community Center, Inc. Board of Directors are certified to teach this curriculum at Test Intermediate School two days per week. They also teach it at Dennis Middle School two days per week.
This program is interactive & non-judgmental. It is taught in a non-judgmental environment. Even though there is a curriculum, some days the participants set the tone/topic of the day’s discussion. The tips, discussions, strategies, real life stories in the book, along with guest speakers have proven to enhance the abilities these students to make positive choices to become the best person they choose to be. SWP & YDEPP are taught together.
C.H.O.I.C.E Program Narrative
(Chance, Hope, Opportunity, Independence, Courage, Excellence)
Based on our observations and conversations with residents & local employers, Human Capital Development is an area that needs to be addressed. Especially for ex-offenders, stay-at-home individuals who now want to be in the workforce, individuals who do not know how to effectively search for a job search, & individuals who are unable to maintain employment. This project will assist in strengthening the family unit, developing self-sufficiency, boosting the local economy, & benefiting the entire community.
The expected outcome of the C.H.O.I.C.E. is to emancipate each participant from their barriers to employability. The benefits of the C.H.O.I.C.E. Program are for each participant to become self-sufficient, decrease recidivism for the ex-offender, obtain additional job skills/experience for each participant; develop of a healthy self-worth for participants, and to become viable citizens of the community. Each participant will be appropriately equipped with the pertinent tools they need to effectively job search, become employed, & to maintain their employment for at least six months, preferably a permanent job placement.