The YMCA Teen Achievers program motivates youth to succeed  

The YMCA Teen Achievers program is a cooperative venture that marshals the resources of the home, the school, the corporate community and the YMCA to help young African-Americans develop a positive sense of self and set high education and career goals. Founded in 1971 at New York City's Harlem Y, the Teen Achievers program is also a national collegiate readiness initiative where Achievers are mentored by (volunteer) African-American professionals who act as role models and leaders.

The Davis Teen Achievers program serves Memphis City Schools, Shelby County and DeSoto County Schools.

The YMCA Teen Achievers program objectives are:  

• To help youth develop a positive sense of self
• To raise academic standards of youth
• To expose students to diverse career options
• To provide positive role models for youth
• To recognize and promote excellence 
• To create channels for continuing community involvement for business and industry

The YMCA Teen Achievers program benefits:

Youth are motivated to succeed in school and gain marketable skills.
 
Adults are recognized by their peers as achievers and are given the opportunity to serve as role models for youth.

Companies are provided with a way to support urban youth, which enhances their corporate image and helps build a future workforce of competent, motivated young adults.

YMCAs that sponsor Teen Achievers gain corporate support for their programs and a dynamic way to involve black professionals in meeting community needs as YMCA volunteers.

How does Teen Achievers help youth?

• Academic support
• Career exploration (weekend clusters)
• Career-related mentoring with successful role models  
• Encouragement by adults who are successful and who share cultural similarities 
  
  

After School Enrichment

This program is designed as a free After School comprehensive program for today’s changing society, not only for working families but also to enrich children’s lives. The program is a combination of several components. It must be emphasized that it is not to be an extension of the school but rather compliment school in a manner that is fun for the child.  A long term goal of the program is to help the child develop socially through small group work while emphasizing the child as an individual. Program participants are divided into small groups based on age and maturity.  This program is offered free through the generous funding of United Way of the Mid-South.

Provided at:  

• Havenview Middle School
• Oakhaven Middle/ High School
• Thomas B. Davis YMCA
  
  

Other helpful websites include:

Memphis City Schools
Student Financial-Aid
Common Application
My Future Map  

Support the YMCA and our programs such as Teen Achievers.