The YMCA Teen Achievers program is changing the lives of youth and teens of color

The YMCA Teen Achievers program is a national college readiness program designed to help teens of color set and pursue high educational and career goals. Through academic support, career exploration and mentoring, YMCA Teen Achievers programs help youth:

• Raise their academic standards
• Develop a positive sense of self
• Build character
• Explore diverse college and career options
• Meet and interact with professionals of color who serve as role models to inspire them to greater heights

The program involves nearly 200 YMCAs, including 18 programs that serve primarily Hispanic/ Latino youth and families. Achievers programs at local YMCAs have directed more than $19 million to scholarships for youth and engaged more than 25,000 volunteers through networks of corporate and community partners. YMCA Teen Achievers programs serve all youth of color, and many YMCAs have added new cultural, academic and leadership programming to serve a broad range of youth and families.

Find out more about the Davis Teen Achievers program.

Why we need Teen Achievers

Education statistics show that high school and college drop-out rates are higher among African-American and Hispanic students compared to their Caucasian counterparts. Research also shows that teens are more motivated to succeed academically when encouraged and guided by adults who are successful and who look like them. The YMCA Teen Achievers program addresses these issues by pairing students with successful role models of color and providing academic and career-related mentoring and support services.

How the program works

YMCA Teen Achievers is built on the notion that community and corporate involvement are critical to building networks and opportunities for youth. To that end, the program centers on the relationship established between volunteer mentors and youth during career clusters. Clusters are workshops dedicated to specific areas of professional interest. Youth participants and mentors, who are experts in their fields, complete projects that are designed to provide students an opportunity to explore their career interests through real-life application of skills. Career clusters include:

• Arts and Humanities
• Business
• Communications
• Computers
• Education
• Engineering
• Health and Medical
• Law and Government
• Vocational and Technical

Support the YMCA and our programs such as Teen Achievers.