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Join Our Mailing ListCabrini College
610 King of Prussia Road
Radnor , PA 19087
Phone: (610) 902-8408
Fax: (610) 902-8436
E-mail: dc723@cabrini.edu
Title: Cabrini College Youth Empowerment Program
Project Director: David Chiles
Project Amount Funded (FY 2006): $248,492
Target Population: African American and Hispanic/Latino Youth, Grades 8-10
The Cabrini College Youth Empowerment Program seeks to reduce the risk of violent behavior and/or substance abuse among a cohort of 30 youth in the Norristown community. Cabrini College partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Montgomery County (BBBS), the Norristown Police Athletic League (PAL), Family Services, Eisenhower and Stewart Middle Schools , and Norristown Area High School to implement the project. In the academic enrichment component of the project participants receive after school academic tutoring from Cabrini College undergraduate students and BBBS staff. Project staff also provide training in study skills, computer skills, reading, writing, oral presentations, and SAT preparation after school at the PAL and during weekly in-school sessions at participants' respective schools. Activities in the personal development component are designed to engage the cohort in improving their personal health and the health of the community. This component includes weekly lessons and activities that focus on health promotion (physical fitness and nutrition), self-selected recreation activities at the PAL, and monthly community service projects. As part of the cultural enrichment component, participants learn more about their own cultures and the cultures of other populations. Monthly activities include: field trips to cultural events and museums in the Philadelphia region, dinner discussions at ethnic restaurants, and/or participation in artistic or cultural events held on the Cabrini College campus. The career development component is designed to expose participants to a variety of careers, including healthcare. Career development activities are conducted during the weekly in-school sessions at Cabrini College where participants take aptitude tests and research careers of interest. Participants also take field trips to various work sites (bio-medical engineering labs, hospitals, corporate offices, etc.) in the greater Philadelphia area. The summer program consists of three separate, week long camps conducted on the Cabrini College campus and focus on academic and personal development. The College Prep Camp expands on college preparation modules covered during the academic year, with a focus on the educationplanner.com website where participants explore majors, college selection, and education financing. The Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Camp emphasizes scientific methods and deductive and analytical reasoning for solving staged “crimes.” The Health and Wellness Camp expands on fitness and nutrition modules covered during the academic year and focuses on team sports. Staying Connected With Your Teen classes are conducted for participants' parents to assist them in learning how they can reduce the chances of their children becoming involved with violence, gangs or drugs.