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1235 University of Oregon
Eugene , OR 97403
Phone: (541) 346-1423
Fax: (541) 346-5517
E-mail: ttobin@uoregon.edu
Title: Northwest Youth Empowerment Program
Project Amount Funded (FY 2006): $249,828
Project Director: Tary J Tobin, Ph.D.
Target Population: Hispanic/Latino Youth, Grades 6-8
The goals of the Northwest Youth Empowerment Program are to increase academic performance, personal development, wellness, and knowledge of Latino and multicultural cultures, and awareness of multicultural issues. The program targets 25 at-risk Latino youth who are between the ages of 11-14 at partnering schools: Reynolds Middle School , Alice Ott Middle School , H.B. Lee Middle School , and Ron Russel Middle School . Academic enrichment is provided during bi-weekly, after-school sessions led by college student interns who focus on English, Language Arts, social studies, math, science, Spanish, and technology. After-school sessions are strengthened by the use of Datos y Razones , a set of character-based prevention lessons and activities assigned for after-school sessions with Latino/a middle school age youth by a central program partner, Northwest Family Services. Additional activities include service learning projects, tutoring, English language development, drama, arts, event planning, recreation, and a social learning component. Bicultural and bilingual Northwest Family Services staff serve as case workers and work with students to create a youth development plan (YDP), which seeks to reduce risk factors by developing and enhancing protective factors and resilience. The YDP serves as a guide for students to assess their progress and includes basic assignments, notes on the student's personal, academic, and career planning, as well as notes on community involvement. Once a month, youth participate in a field trip relating either to cultural enrichment or career development. As part of the summer program, students take part in numerous extracurricular activities such as physical fitness, career exploration, and outdoor education. Students in the program participate in workshops with their family members to increase communication and positive relations. Parents receive regular contact from program staff through home visits, and have the opportunity to take part in structured, skill-focused parental education classes.