Y Achievers
What is Y Achievers?
Y Achievers is a program that was built on the notion that community and corporate involvement are critical to building networks and opportunities for youth, especially those from underserved communities. To that end, the program centers on the relationships established between volunteer mentors and youth through specialized career development networks and workshops.
History of Y Achievers
YMCA Black Achievers Program was launched in 1971 at the Harlem YMCA by Dr. Leo B. Marsh, a financial consultant with the YMCA of Greater New York. The purpose of the program was to motivate African American youth to set education and career goals. The Harlem YMCA sought to achieve these objectives by creating a forum to foster ongoing interaction between African-American youth and adults who had distinguished themselves in their professions.
In 1991, the YM CA of Philadelphia & Vicinity implemented the Achievers program in its inner city branches. In 1994, the program was expanded to several suburban Philadelphia branches, enhancing mentoring opportunities and serving over 150 minority youth in Philadelphia, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
Why We Need Y Achievers
Education statistics show that high school drop out rates are higher among African-American and Hispanic students compared to their Caucasian counterparts. Research also shows that teens are more motivated to success academically when encouraged and guided by adults who look like them. The Y Achievers program addresses these issues by pairing students with successful role models of color and providing academic and career-related mentoring and support services.
Youth and teens, by nature are ...
Teens, by nature are struggling to define their identities. The Y Achievers program taps into this natural curiosity to connect youth with adult role models with similar cultural and racial backgrounds in an effort to help guide the youth and teens toward bright and secure future.
The core component of the program is relationship building between the volunteer Adult Achievers and the Teen Achievers during career cluster workshops. Clusters workshops are dedicated to specific areas of professional interest. Teen Achievers work with Adult Mentors, who are experts in their fields, to complete projects that are designed to provide students an opportunity to explore their career interest through real-life applications of skills.
Get Involved With Y Achievers
Teen Achievers
The Y Achievers program is open to youth in middle and/or high school from all social, economic and academic levels. The program is offered at free of charge and Teen Achievers are eligible for a discounted YMCA membership. Teen Achievers must submit an application, along with a copy of their most recent report card. The only requirement for youth participation in the Y Achievers program is a desire to succeed in school and pursue an advanced academic education.
Adult Achievers
Volunteer Adult Achievers are crucial to the on-going success of the Y Achievers program. Adult Achievers are often nominated for the Y Achievers program by their employers and/or colleagues. Responsibilties of an Adult Achievers include facilitating workshops and career clusters, mentoring, providing career advice and hosting a worksite tour. Adult Achiever volunteers demonstrate high standards in both their personal and professional lives, and possess the desire to inspire young adults.
Adult Achievers are crucial to the success of the Y Achievers program. Working in the capacity of a volunteer mentor/meeting leader, Adult Achievers lead meetings, group discussions and related events, as well as build strong relationships with our youth and teens.
Participate as a Student Achiever
The YMCA Achievers program accepts participants as early as 5th grade, and can accept students as late as the 12th Grade. While applications for the program are accepted on a rolling basis, parents are encouraged to enroll their young people as early as possible before each program year, to ensure his/her space in the program, and to maximize program benefits.