In the town of Glenville, New York the YMCA offers many diversion programs for youth. Targeting teens and single parents the YMCA provides a nurturing, educational and family oriented number of programs.
One of the programs aboard the YMCA is the “The Adventure Guide Program”. This program gives the fathers of youths an opportunity for undivided time and attention. The adventures guide is based upon a respect for strong family and community ties with American traditions. This program brings together fathers and daughters in small groups. The groups get together for meetings to participate in fun and educational outside activities.
The mission of the Adventure Guide is as follows” It fosters companionship, understanding and strong foundations for positive, lifelong relationships between father and daughter. It builds a sense of self-esteem and personal worth for both the father and daughter. It provides framework for a mutual need of spending enjoyable, constructive, quality time together. It enhances the quality of father/daughter time together. It emphasizes the vital role that a father plays in the growth and development of his daughter. It offers an opportunity to develop and enjoy volunteer leadership skills for both the father and daughter.
As noted the above program targets young female youths in the local community area. Peer pressure and the use of drugs and violence are growing prevalent everywhere generally among communities. Though the use of violence and guns are not prevalent in this community; there are still safety issues and family structures that need to be nurtured, and developed; to promote a positive growing environment for the youth.
In regard to the “Social Structure Theory”; as well as the Social Process Theories; many disadvantaged youths as well as unsupervised youths find themselves developing criminal minds within their social network of friends. The chances for disadvantaged youths are slim when it comes to the diversion of crime.
By attending nurturing family organized activities, and attending educational family oriented activities area youths can develop into responsible happy adults. Family is where it starts and needs to continue; throughout a life time. Families build communities and youths build the future.
Karen Virafiano (single mother) shares a testimonial as a member of the YMCA of Guilderland; which is a close network community of the YMCA. She was not home when her house burnt down. When the staff at the Guilderland YMCA heard about her tragedy; they pulled together with members and collected clothes, toys, and household items for Karen. Karen is a single mother of a son Nikolas. The YMCA stepped in and offered the family financial assistance for their membership; through the Access program. Even though this is not considered part of a divisional type teen program I it is important to share how the YMCA; a family oriented association promotes the family and thus promotes the youth's safety and well-being. Nickolas can participate in the youth basketball ball program on Saturdays and the sports camp during the school holiday break.
Another situation; is about two children from a single parent family of low income; who were clearly in need of financial assistance. Given help from the YMCA; the children were able to attend summer camp in a structured supervised environment; while the single mother of this family was at work. Thanks to the efforts of one volunteer, and the existence of the Reach Out for Youth Program, two boys were able to enjoy their summer, continue their involvement at the YMCA and have an experience that last a lifetime.
Another situation was a child who lived nearby in a mobile home park... the phrase “not working to the fullest” was used often on the school reports she brought home. She struggled with grades, and fitting in school. Staff members of the area “Captain for Youth Program “; asked her if she was interested in going to YMCA Camp Chingachook. Julie ended up going to the camp. She had to share a cabin with 12 other girls. She had chores to do. She had to sit with a big group at every mealtime. Julie was forced to have fun. Canoeing, archery, swimming, drama, sailing, beach, jam parties, and the big dance. Julie found out she fit in and she was good at all this stuff.
The programs within the YMCA are successful and target diverse situations; while upholding the value of the family. The social structure and process theories; given their take on how youths develop, and why they develop into criminals; depicts the need for these programs to be instilled in all youths as much as possible. The change of environment is needed in disadvantaged situations in which the youth has no positive way to develop him or her. The YMCA helps the youth to achieve an identity; which is positive, and attributes to the development of a responsible citizen and human being.
The web site where the above information can be obtained for further acknowledgment is listed below.
http:// www. Cdymca.org/reachoutforyouth/testimonials.htm
