Youth Outreach Services

PREVENTION

Youth Prevention Education YOS believes that addressing a potential threat before it becomes a problem is the best way to impact positive change. Substance Abuse Prevention curriculum - This program offers an evidenced-based curriculum designed to reduce the onset of the first experience with alcohol and other drugs, and to change youths’ perceptions about using substances. The curriculum is typically delivered in a school or community based setting. Booster courses are offered to students in subsequent grades to follow up on learned lessons from their original curriculum. If you are an educator or representative of a school, and would like to offer any of our curricula to your students, please contact us here. Pregnancy Prevention curriculum - The Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) offers comprehensive sex education in

the world around them and to become an active participant in it. YOS participates in the City of Chicago’s One Summer Chicago summer employment program, by serving as a worksite and by hiring youth directly to work at YOS. We have computer labs available to youth to complete their homework and/or apply for jobs. Over the past few years, YOS has employed hundreds of youth and guided them through managing their responsibilities. Please refer to www.onesummerchicago.org for applications and deadlines. Health and Wellness YOS believes that a youth is the sum of his or her parts, including the head, the heart and the body. As a comprehensive youth agency, YOS works to not only address mental health but well-rounded youth with physical health and well being. Hands-on interactive programming offers positive social interactions, which cultivates creativity and collaboration

school settings for middle and high school students. Abstinence education is our first method of education. Our program also covers effective contraception methods. YOS uses multiple approaches to encourage youth to delay their first sexual experience, to reduce first time teenage pregnancy, to prevent second time births and sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. The YOS Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) program provides supplemental activities that educate youth on how to make proud choices. Booster courses are offered to students in subsequent grades to follow up on learned lessons from their original curriculum. Summer Employment YOS believes that jobs for youth afford them the opportunity to see

YOS’s Prevention services help youth and families develop the skills and opportunities they need to make good choices and pursue positive activities.

through mentorship and education opportunities.

Urban Gardening YOS’ Austin office has a community garden with raised plant beds and fruit trees. It’s safe and calm space for youth to engage in their community while learning about nutrition and sustainable agriculture. Thank you in large part to our primary funders of this project, Feeding Mouths, Filling Minds. If you or a group would like to volunteer or donate to our garden, please contact us here. Community Outreach YOS believes that our communities are our biggest resources. YOS’s community partners include schools and educators, coalitions, community-based organizations and social service agencies. We seek to aid groups by offering training workshops and assistance needed to support youth and families as they address and overcome difficult issues. YOS staff also serves on various boards and coalitions. See all of our partners here.