The Center for Youth Services

School Based Programs:The Center's school-based programs work with youth and families to enhance school stability, connectedness, and improved attendance, which leads to academic success and graduation. These programs include: Alternatives to Suspension, Crisis Intervention/Help Zone, Expanded Learning Opportunities, and Prevention Education Services. The programs are offered at numerous schools in the City of Rocheser, New York and contiguous counties. (Continued on Schedule O) Alternatives to Suspension programs are designed to reduce short-term out-of-school suspensions, minimize disruptive behavior, and keep students on track with their academics. Crisis Intervention/Help Zone programs support the academic and interpersonal success of students by providing immediate crisis response, offering an individualized intervention for social and emotional behaviors, and providing parental engagement opportunities in crisis situations as well as prevention and intervention opportunities. Expanded Learning Opportunity programs provide academic enrichment and recreational opportunities with the goal of improved attendance, increased academic success, and fostering well-rounded youth. The Prevention Education Services Program provides research-based, interactive workshops geared towards schools and youth organizations to help children and teens to make informed, healthy decisions. Workshop topics include: communication, alcohol and drug awareness, prejudice, depression and suicide, sexuality, and conflict resolution. This past year, school-based programs served over 15,000 Monroe, Livingston, and Steuben County youths in urban, suburban, and rural schools, and at community agencies/centers. EarthWorks is committed to engaging students in the natural world to unlock the curiosity that drives independent learning. We do this through expeditionary, hands-on learning and play; where we allow children to explore, understand and interpret the world around them. Our programs range from seasonal forest school, wilderness survival classes, outdoor classroom instruction and garden education. Each class will include elements of outdoor play, practical skill building, survival techniques and hands-on learning opportunities. Students who join us will be encouraged to cooperate, problem solve and work together to reach success. Strings for Success (SFS) is a free, inclusive, and innovative instrumental strings program available to all students in grades 2-8 at the Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School 19 in the Rochester City School District. In addition to high-quality music instruction, SFS students participate in ensembles, performances, field trips, and learning opportunities with visiting artists from Rochester and beyond. Strings for Success is offered during the school day so that all interested students can participate.These program includes funding by contributions and government grants in the amount of $1,778,910.

Counseling Intervention:Counselors provide essential chemical dependency prevention, individual and family counseling, and crisis intervention services including youth intake and assessment, case management, advocacy, and follow-up. Utilizing evidence-based practices and programs, counselors work with youth to increase decision-making skills and protective factors in order to reduce alcohol and substance abuse and other high-risk behaviors. Counseling staff are stationed in The Center's downtown office, schools, and community organizations. (Continued on Schedule O)Information and referral services are available 24 hours a day through the staffed help line to ensure maximum accessibility and responsiveness to youth needs.This program includes funding by contributions and government grants in the amount of $636,488.

Runaway and Homeless:1. Emergency Shelter ProgramThrough our homeless youth shelter, The Center House, or in their volunteer Host Homes, the program provides a short-term voluntary safe haven to homeless and runaway youth ages 12-21 (12-17 for Shelter, 12-21 for Host Homes). During their stay, youth receive chemical dependency prevention counseling, individual and family counseling, and case management services to assist in reuniting them with their families, as well as supportive aftercare services.(Continued on Schedule O.)Through Life Skills workshops and one on one counseling, The Center works with each youth to increase their coping skills and avoid environments that lead to high risk activities such as alcohol and substance abuse. When reunification is not possible, youth are assisted with securing alternative stable housing.2. Transitional Living Program (Devonshire, Chrysalis House, and Arnett House)The Transitional Living Program is designed to support older homeless youth ages 16-21, who do not have family support as they transition into adulthood. The Center provides subsidized apartments or assistance in securing stable housing, case management and independent living skills training for up to 18 months. Chrysalis House is a maternity group home, combining a safe and structured environment with adult supervision in a large and beautiful home. It is designed for homeless pregnant/parenting and non-parenting teenage girls in desperate need of safe and stable housing who benefit from the structure and support provided to youth living in this home. The newest program, Arnett House, is for LGBTQ+ and youth who have experienced trafficking ages 16 - 24. It is a 3-bedroom house that serves up to 6 young people with case management, life skills, and other supports for 6 - 8 months.3. Street Outreach ProgramThe goals of the Street Outreach Program are to provide education and prevention services to reduce the incidence of sexual abuse and/or exploitation of street youth, and to help them leave the streets. The Center does this by building trusting relationships with street youth, providing them with survival supports (food, clothing, hygiene products) and giving them immediate access to emergency shelter services. Counselors also work very closely with community agencies to connect youth with needed services. 4. Project Safe PlaceThis community collaboration among The Center, community businesses and volunteers offers young people access to safety 24/7. The goal of the project is to create safe and accessible points of entry for youth ages 12-21 at all Tops Markets, RTS buses, YMCAs, City of Rochester Parks and Recreation, and other locations. Youth can access Safe Place locations day or night and are immediately connected with trained professionals and volunteers from The Center who will assist them in connecting with the services they need. 5. New Beginning HouseThis 3-apartment, 6-bedroom building is for young men ages 16-24, who are experiencing housing instability while trying to complete their education and/or obtain and maintain employment. Much like our Transitional Living Program and Emergency Shelter, the New Beginning House is built on the Center's foundation of positive-youth development and trauma-focused service delivery. Length of stay and intensity of services is driven by the needs of the resident. Services include independent living skills, mentorship opportunities and connection to on-going, permanent relationships with safe adults in the community.6. Rapid Rehousing ProgramThis program assists young adults ages 18 - 25 who are currently homeless and residing in emergency shelters in quickly obtaining independent, permanent housing in the community. Specialists assist with apartment searches and applications as well with obtaining employment in order to maintain housing and in identifying landlords who are willing to partner with the program.7. Crisis Nursery: The Crisis Nursery (two locations including Owen's House) operates two 6 bed respite shelters for children ages 0-14 years, and up to 17 as part of a sibling group, with parental consent and involvement. The program responds to families in crisis 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing safe and consistent care in an effort to reduce the trauma on the children and their families. 8. Safe Harbour: The Safe Harbour program provides advocacy and intensive case management for minor victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Through partnership with Monroe County Youth Bureau and DHS, The Center's Safe Harbour program also provides training and case coordination for Child Welfare programs and other non-profits serving vulnerable youth. These programs include funding by contributions and government grants in the amount of $2,204,494.

Workforce Initiative: Learn 2 Earn (L2E): This asset-based year-round workforce program includes both the L2E out of school program for youth 16-21 years and in school participation for youth ages 14-18 years still in school. RochesterWorks! is the funder of the out of school program and the in school program is funded through the support of the ESL Foundation. This program includes funding by contributions and government grants in the amount of $258,374.Teen Court: Rochester Teen Court is a voluntary, peer-to-peer alternative intended to turn a young person's first encounter with the adult criminal justice system into their last. A judge presides over the court with youth volunteers serving as jurors and attorneys. Cases are selected when defendants realize their responsibility and are willing to accept the sentence selected by their peers. Sanctions include community service, counseling and relevant workshops. Peer Court utilizes volunteers within the school to serve on a panel in a restorative justice model. Youth Development Opportunities and Volunteerism: The talents, skills, and time given to The Center by hundreds of youth and adult volunteers transform the lives of our youth. These generous community members listen, counsel, tutor, provide meals, host parties and college tours, plant flowers, clean our buildings, sort books, furnish coats, scarves, suitcases, duffle bags and provide holiday gifts. Simply put, The Center could not operate as they do without them. It is through their spirit of generosity and understanding, and their belief in what they do here at The Center that makes these volunteers so precious to The Center.Bridge to Peace - Restorative Practices - Youth Leadership:The Center for Youth was founded more than 50 years ago on the principles of youth voice and youth leadership, on removing barriers and providing social and racial justice and on repairing harm and building community. The newest initiative, located at 797 Monroe Avenue, provides the agency the opportunity to return to this mission in a new site that is led by youth and focuses on the use of restorative practices across all programs. The Bridge to Peace building is the home of the Learn to Earn program, arts of all types, including dance, music, and visual and graphic arts, as well as basketball and other sports. In the spring of 2022, an active tutoring program was added to offer academic enrichment. Most importantly, 797 Monroe welcomes youth of all ages and incorporates the use of restorative circles in all programs. Celebrating youth voice is essential in all Center programs but nowhere more emphasized than at the Bridge to Peace. With a keen eye to anti-violence and social justice, the additional programs offered at 797 Monroe connect with other agencies, school districts and programs to insure that youth are respected and valued and that their voices are heard.The Nook - The Center's 905 Monroe Avenue location is the home of a food pantry and clothes closet that supplies a variety of non-perishable food, diapers, hygiene products and other youth needs.