OVERVIEW
The Minneapolis Urban League has expanded its youth programming into the surrounding suburbs beginning with the Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center areas. The model that has been introduced to these areas is called The Right Track Program: Moving Our Kids toward the Right Track.
The main goal of the program is to increase the number of youth from low-income families that participate in quality out-of-school time programs that offer safe places to develop skills and competencies. The objective is to set them on the right track in terms of personal behavior and decision-making. Our target population is youth ages 6-14.

The program will operate year-round with the emphasis during the school year on tutoring and instructional workshops, social and family focused programs and recreational programs. There would be a shift in emphasis leaning more heavily towards sports and recreational activities during the school breaks and the summer period.

CONCEPTS AND METHODOLOGY
Based upon research conducted by the Greater Twin Cities United Way it was determined that:
Annually, each youth in Minnesota has about 2,000 hours of discretionary, non-school time, without structure or supervision. Several studies have found that youth crime, as well as sexual activity, peak during these unsupervised after-school hours.

Community residents and youth themselves have identified the need for safe places outside of school hours as a critical need. A 'safe place,' as defined by youth, is a place where they feel free to explore all of who they are without ridicule or judgment. Participation in high-quality out-of-school (OST) programs is linked to better attitudes toward school and higher educational aspirations, higher school attendance and better performance in school, as measured by achievement test scores and grades (Harvard Research Project – OST Evaluation Snapshot, 2003).

Youth who participate on a regular basis in quality out-of-school time programs have much stronger long-term outcomes for success. The return on investment for out-of-school time programs is $10.51 when you consider the accumulated benefits of improved school performance, reduced crime costs, increased wages, and reduced welfare costs.

PROGRAMMING AND ACTIVITIES
With the intention to provide opportunities for program youth to participate in quality out-of-school programs and activities that fit their needs.
Current Activities 2008-2009

• To assist youth in recognizing their strengths, to appreciate their personal values and increase self-confidence.

• To educate students to their highest potential, to assist them in gaining knowledge necessary for graduation and a desire for life -long learning.

• To help students obtain a standard of conduct that exemplifies integrity and ethics.

The goal of the Winner’s Circle is:

• To help young African –American males achieve a true sense of identity, feeling of belonging and commitment to their community.

• To help youth achieve a level of social maturity and awareness, that enables them to maintain a pro-active stand even in the face of society’s ills without engaging self-defeating behavior.

• To help youth realize and achieve a role that is satisfying, responsible and consistent with acceptable cultural norms and values.

• To help youth develop a philosophy of life which allows them to function in a responsible and mature manner.

• To help youth to relate positively with their parents, peers, extended family, teachers, and elders.

• To train youth to be catalyst, so they will be able to teach others about the importance of cultural rights in relationship to healthy development.

My Community Mural Project

You can sign your kids up now to start March 8th. You do not need to be a YMCA member to attend this after school program

just print the permission slip and have your child bring it with them if the would like to attend.

 Hip Hop Dance and Nutrition with The Right Track Program, Freemont Community Clinic and Hood Nerds Youth Inc.

Check out this video when FOX 9 news visited the Hip Hop Nutrition Program at Lucey Laney School.

We will post the official news segment soon.

Oasis of Love Violence Prevention Program

 Randy Koch ,Earle Brown Principal awards students completion certificates

The Kurve Violence Prevention Program will run a 5 week session with 4th and 5th grade students concerning leadership, violence between peers, respect and family violence. The students will work together to learn and practice new things and new ways to deal with violent behaviors and situations

 Hood Nerds Youth Inc. Members Nerdy Star and Nerdy Blaze instructing 5th grade students

The Hood Nerds Youth Inc. Dance Program will allow elementary students enrolled in The Right Track Program the ability to learn a professionally choreographed dance production to perform for their student body and families. The goal of the Hood Nerds Youth Inc. Dance Program ar as follows:

• To increase listening skills
• To increase social peer relationship building
•  To improve physical strength
• To learn the importance of teamwork.
• The students will be taught by junior and senior students from all over the city who are members of The Hood Nerds Youth Inc. Organization. you can learn more about Hood Nerds Youth Inc. by clicking here

 Program Update:

The Right Track Program, Hood Nerds Youth Inc., The Broadway Teen Enrichment Center Community YMCA and other community partners facilitated full summer programming with "Safe Play Days" at two metro locations.The Efforts of Safe Play Days allowed youth of all ages to have a fun , safe, outdoor and indoor activity during the summer months. The Right Track program is happy to announce that participation of Safe Play Days was a success. We will begin planning for the 2110 summer break in March of 2010.

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To become involved with any Right Track Program event please e mail Nikki McComb at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

If you have a program suggestion or would like to volunteer with The Right Track Program fee free to e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it