YOUTH DEVELOPMENTand what we are

asked to doTODAY

Presented by

Our mission is to provide opportunities that encourage kids to grow and build self-confidence.

• We seek to promote a positive, safe, stable, and trusting environment where kids can grow

• We support kids through encouragement and structured program opportunities.

• We strive to be role models of trust, reliability, perseverance, and community.

Mission:

Vision:The place where kids become community through

play.

1. Learn the skills to build positive relationships.2. Learn the skills to control behavior.3. Learn the knowledge of why education is important.

Welcoming. All kids are welcomed and accepted into a non-judgmental and safe environment

Fun. We will create a safe and fun environment where kids can grow and shine.

Socially Responsible. We provide a positive environment that strives to teach lessons of social responsibility.

Consistent. We are adult role models kids rely on.

Responsive. We will listen to what the kids want for programming and activities.

Local. We are a local grassroots program that teaches the importance of giving back.

Values:

Wt/COC Low/Ave Elem/Teen Male/Female0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Demographics

Who we serve:Ethnicity Income Age Gender

Recent History:During the same timeframe, how have our test scores fared?

1970's 1980's 1990's 2010's0102030405060708090

Test Scores & Positive Places for Kids

Test Scores Places

How many places did youth have as opportunities to go to during our recent past?

Current Crisis:From September to May, how many CALLS to police happened on the Western part of town versus the Eastern part of town?

Police Calls '13/'14 Police Calls '14/'150

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

55,84159,270

19,086 21,130

Police Calls ‘13/’14 & ‘14/’15

West East

Current Crisis:From September to May, how many CRIMES happened on the Western part of town versus the Eastern part of town?

Crimes '13/'14 Crimes '14/'150

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

4,9725,286

1,643 1,839

Crimes ‘13/’14 & ‘14/’15

West East

Current Crisis:

Alcohol Weapons Juvenile Drugs0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

908

448

612

175

966

564 523

79180 136

255

22

198 238142

18

Youth Challenges ‘13/’14 & ‘14/’15

West '13/'14 West '14/'15 East '13/'14 East '14/'15

Are you aware of the differences in challenges west to east youth face Sept. to May 2013 to 2015?

Our Expectations:Wake up-Eat breakfast-Get dressed-Get to school (on time)-Behave at school-Achieve in school-Graduate on time-Go to college-Gain employment-

What are the expectations we have for our kids during the school year?

Their Expectations: Wake up- I haven’t went to sleep yet.

Why the day will suck anyway.Great, now I can get out of this hell whole.

Eat breakfast- Nothing to eat here, wont make it to breakfast at school in time, Go hungry until lunch time.

Looks like bread with nothing on it or cereal with no milk. At least its something and/or I’ll wait until lunch

If I eat anything I’ll get in an fight or argument not worth it. Get dressed- Same clothes as the past 3 days.

No name brands, stained, ugly, everyone makes fun of me.

Only have a few changes of clothes I like to wear and they are all in the laundry. Laundromat day is only once/twice a month.

What the expectations they have for themselves?

Their Expectations: Get to school (on time)- I hate school. I am no good at anything.

I get picked on/ I’ll end up in a fight.I didn’t study or do my homework which means I’ll

fail anyway, might as well skip.I’ll visit the Nurses office and go to the parts of

classes I like.Behave at school- Why don’t I have it as easy as her/him. My life sucks.

I hate Math/Reading/Spelling, if I act up or out I will get sent to the Principal’s office.

What the expectations they have for themselves?

Their Expectations: Achieve in school- I hate school. I am no good at

anything.I don’t get it

and nobody at home is there to help me.

I made it another night last night. I

wonder where I’ll be staying tonight.

Graduate, College, Employment-

What the expectations they have for themselves?

Their Environment

Basic Needs not being met

Adult behaviors not fit for younger children

PTSD to Adults

Their Reality DrugsAlcoholPregnancyOn the Run Couch hoppingDrop outs Suicide

What we do:Show kids caring The L-word or The H-wordHow to smile How to have fun.

We use positive relationships with play to achieve these goal(s)

Benefits to Learning Through Play When students have fun learning, they continue to

pursue it’s extended learning for its own sake.

There is a general consensus that education is in trouble. Time spent in outdoor recess, art, music, and curriculum that nurtures school engagement at the fun level are declining for more time in “skills and drills” learning leaving students and teachers unsatisfied.

At any age, play acts to retain and enhance meaningful

context and optimizes the learning process.

Why we do it:Kids thinking from and using the Happy Center of their brains have actions that come from the same Happy Center. The quickest way to the Happy Center of the brain is through PLAYING.

Types of Play:Motor/Physical Play: Gross and fine muscle strength and overall integration of muscles, nerves, and brain functions. tumbling, wrestling, jumping, running, throwing, swimming

Social Play: Participation of positive situations where a variety of opportunities for children to engage in social behavior. swings, catch, slides, snowboarding, skateboarding, fishing

Constructive Play: is when children manipulate their environment to create things. sand castles, blocks, Legos, baking, forts, sowing, drawing

Fantasy Play: Using your imagination in a risk free environment. Slaying the backyard dragon, army, house, superheros

Not convinced? Nature does it (but hey, evolution is over rated

anyway)

• One 15-year study on grizzly bears in Alaska confirmed that the bears that played the most were the ones that had the highest rates of survival.

Key Decisions:Simplify! Narrow it down to does it help kids or hurt kids and is it fun?

YES NOKids will benefitMake their life harderKids will have fun Kids think its boring

Play Matrix:Behaviorally Academically

Employment

Physical Accepted Readiness to LearnHealthy Employee

Overcome Fears Writing/typing Trades

Social Sharing In-class Attention Doctors Moral Reasoning School Engagement Services

Industry

Construction Hands on Problem solving Engineers Experimental Comprehension Sciences

Fantasy Dream Ideas, risk, concepts Inventors Creative Abstract conclusions

Entrepreneurs

Daily Activities:Monday’s Thursday’s3:00-5:00 Homework Room 2:30-4:00 Lego Robotics

3:00-4:30 Lego Robotics 3:00-5:00 Homework Room4:30-5:30 Elementary Gym Time 4:30-5:30 Outdoor Games6:00-8:00 Open GymTuesday’s Friday’s2:30-4:00 Lego Robotics3:00-5:00 Homework Room 3:00-5:00 Movie Day4:00:430 Table Tennis Club 3:00-4:00 Table Tennis Club4:30-5:30 Outdoor Games 4:30-5:30 Elem. Gym Wednesday’s TEEN NIGHT2:30-3:30 Art Club 6:00-9:00 Open Gym3:00-5:00 Homework Room3:00-4:00 Table Tennis Club4:30-5:30 Elementary Gym Time6:00-8:00 Open Gym (Table Tennis)

What can you do?Make Play a Priority in your life and for those around you.

Support efforts that contribute to increasing playing in our community like ours (or us).

Here’s How Financial Support Spreading the word about us and our cause. Magazine Recycling Silent Auction items Capital Campaigns

Thank you!The Welch Center Inc. dba

Valley Youth Centers720 N. Central Ave. Duluth, MN 55807 (218) 464-5071 x 100www.valleyyouthcenters.org Facebook- Valley Youth Center