KINSHIP YOUTH PROGRAM
The Kinship Youth Program (KYP) offers a comprehensive after-school program and a summer program for kinship youth, ages 8-18. Connected to Family Support Services’ larger Kinship Support Services Program, the Kinship Youth Program is unique in that our participants and families also have access to a comprehensive menu of supportive services including case management, respite care, and mental health services through Family Support Services.
The Kinship Youth Program is a consistent and positive place where youth can receive academic support, access to therapy, learn skills to improve their social behaviors, and build relationships with caring adults and peers. It provides permanency and belonging to children and youth who have experienced disruption in their lives.
Once a young person has joined our program, they can stay with the program for as long as they desire. We make a pledge to our youth and indeed it is our goal to keep them a part of our family.
Services Provided:
- Homework Club
- Recreational/Saturday Enrichment Activities
- Leadership Development/Community Service
- Summer Program
- College Path Support
Homework Club
The centerpiece of KYP is the Homework Club, which meets weekly during the school year for homework and academic support, as well as social and leadership development. A truly unique year-round program, KYP offers academic support through group and one-on-one tutoring, as well as shadowing in the classroom, and educational advocacy in support of the caregivers within schools.
Recreational/Saturday Enrichment Activities
Our Saturday series during the school year is a critical part of the KYP experience. Activities range from recreational outings, life skills and enrichment activities, college pathways support and campus field trips, community service, and other leadership activities. In addition to providing meaningful opportunities to engage in high quality enrichment activities critical to their development and carefully balanced to the academic after school program.
Leadership Development/Community Service
Leadership development is an area of emphasis for our program as we believe it applies to every aspect of a participant’s experience, both in the program and out. Our leadership development strategy is layered, with increasingly intensive levels of engagement depending on the youth’s age and experience with the program. Service projects help KYP participants to develop a sense of involvement in their community.
Summer Program
Typically four days a week for six weeks, the summer session incorporates academic and recreational activities to create a fun and busy schedule full of field trips and exciting adventures.
College Path Support
KYP’s model of trust-holding and high-quality programming works. Year after year, our youth improve their academic performance, stay in school, graduate, and go on to college. Many of these youth never thought this would be possible when they first started KYP.