Y Achievers Program
The Y Achievers program is a developmentally-based mentorship program for minority youth in grades 5th--12th, which helps them successfully prepare for life after high school. Employing a dynamic curriculum, our program empowers youth to set high educational standards, explore various career options and develop the YMCA's character values.
Program Levels
Y Achievers is split into 4 program levels: Young Achievers (5th and 6th grade), Tourist Achievers (7th and 8th grade), Teen Achievers (9th and 10th grade) and Future Leaders (11th and 12th grade). Young Achievers and Tourist Achievers meet bi-weekly at YMCA branches throughout the city (including Christian Street, West, Columbia North, Mainline, Rocky Run, Roxborough, Abington, Ambler, Hatboro and Northeast branches, please see main page for specific locations). Teen Achievers and Future Leaders will meet biweekly at Drexel University on Saturdays, from 9am-2pm.
Programming
At Young Achievers and Tourist Achievers meetings, students will explore various career paths through group discussion, role playing and guest speakers. Also during these meetings, students will take part in activities that focus on leadership training, communication (i.e. self presentation and etiquette) and goal setting. In addition, Tourist Achievers will take worksite visits and field trips to professional organization to examine and cultivate their interest in various career fields.
At Teen Achievers and Future Leaders meetings, students will take part in workshops surrounding one of eight career clusters, or specialized projects, in which students will gain hands on experience and build skill sets related to a career of interest. Career Clusters include Arts and Entertainment, Business and Entrepreneurship, Communications, Computers and Technology, Engineering and Science, Health and Medicine, Law and Government and Education. Students at these program levels will also take part in workshops that teach resume writing, PSAT/SAT/ACT prep, self-esteem cultivation, scholarship/grant/financial assistance, as well as participating in college tours.