What is Youth Empowerment Demonstration Project?

The Youth Empowerment Demonstration Project (YED) provides intensive positive youth development after-school programs for middle school Latino/a students as well as summer programs and parent education programs. University of Oregon researchers will work in partnership with Northwest Family Services providing technical assistance, training, and evaluation for the project. The project includes a number of exciting elements including incorporating college aged mentors and a social learning project. The YED objectives are to encourage healthy behaviors, to provide academic and cultural enrichment, career awareness, and to promote healthy choices. The Office of Minority Health funds the project. NWFS receives a sub-award through the University of Oregon to be the service provider.

Who does YED serve?

YED serves Latino/Latina students who are currently in middle school.  Due to the nature of this program, students need to maintain regular attendance to YED activities twice a week during the school year, attend a three-week Summer Program, and be identified by school staff as individuals who demonstrate motivation for personal growth.  Through the students’ participation, his or her family have the opportunity to attend parent training courses and family activities. It is expected that participating youth will benefit by gaining academic knowledge and fluency; skills related to personal development and wellness, greater awareness of multicultural issues, increased awareness of career options. Participating parents may gain confidence and skill in parenting teen-aged children.  After students are referred, Northwest Family Services determines the eligibility of participation for each student and seek parent permission for accepted students.

Participating students are from three schools:

• George Middle School
• H.B. Lee Middle School
• Ron Russell Middle School

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Students Receive:

Person centered planning: each student maintains a folder of his or her own projects, goals, activities, projects, and accomplishments.

Tutoring:  students receive personal tutoring each class from their instructor and intern. Cooperation between the classroom teacher and the YED staff occurs.

Mentoring: students set personal goals and receives concrete, positive support from the YED staff.

Recreation: students have the opportunity to explore new activities, experience field trips, and develop personal interests.

Career and post-secondary education: Through guest speakers and visits to local college and university settings, students learn about a wide variety of career and academic choices. The students work on resume development, completing an application, and how to interview.

Cultural enrichment: students celebrate their own Latino heritage as they learn about its many diverse cultures. Family festivals and the completion of their own oral history and art projects provides balance and interest.

Service-learning is a teaching and learning approach that integrates community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.

Personal wellness: students improve their overall health by studying nutrition, exercise, pregnancy, disease, violence, drug, and alcohol prevention, as well as the importance of good decision-making and boundary setting.

How to Get Involved:

Internships are available through University of Oregon, (contact Tary Tobin, Ph.D., ttobin@uoregon.edu)

Volunteer: there are numerous opportunities to support this program (contact: service@nwfs.org)

“This project is supported in part by the Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. No official endorsement by the Office of Minority Health should be assumed.”