Black Achievers | About
Mission
Black Achievers at the Muncie Family YMCA is a program designed to enhance the academic, personal, career, and leadership development of minority teens ages 13-18, by providing specialized, culturally-based programs, community resources and relationships to build a healthy spirit, mind and body.
BLACK ACHIEVERS describes the origin and mission of the program. Today, however, the program includes all teens at YMCAs nationwide. Local program names may vary, such as Black & Hispanic Achievers or Minority Achievers, or simply YMCA Achievers.
Participants
The Muncie Family YMCA Black Achievers Program is open to youth in middle and/or high schools, from all social, economic and academic levels. The only true requirement a youth must have to enroll in the program is the desire to succeed. Youth must be at least 13 years of age before participating in cluster meetings.
Adults also benefit from this program. Thanks to the opportunity for leadership roles in the Muncie Family YMCA Black Achievers program, adults can gain visibility within their companies, helping them to advance professionally and within their community. They also volunteer as cluster leaders, chaperones, and administrative helpers.
Meeting Times
The Black Achievers Program meets on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month from 11:00a.m. to 1:00p.m unless otherwise noted in the program calendar.
Goals
1 |
To improve academic deficiencies and increase the percentage of minority students who graduate from high school and move on to higher education. To accomplish this objective, the program offers broad as well as specific educational activities that focus on test aspects for the particular grade level. |
2 |
To help youth understand and evaluate their life and career options. To accomplish this objective, the program offers career activities that provide students with information about and exposure to careers in arts, business, communications, computers, education, engineering, medicine, and public service and law. |
3 |
To increase the developmental assets in youth. To accomplish this objective the program provides youth with resources and positive experiences that increase external assets and adult role models who nurture qualities that increase internal assets. |
4 |
To establish meaningful, long-term relationships between program participants and positive adults within the community. To accomplish this objective, the program recruits role models who are committed to work with youth and willing to nurture and guide their development. |
