Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), formerly Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Louisiana, provides extensive youth services in Northeast Louisiana. Through education, development, enrichment, mentoring, outreach, advocacy and case management, YEP supports The Wellspring’s mission to strengthen and value individuals and families through professional services and community leadership with compassion and integrity.
Mentoring
YEP offers youth ages 7 to 18 both one-to-one and group mentoring services. Mentoring is a proven solution for helping children facing adversity improve outcomes and have brighter futures. One-to-one mentoring includes school/site based matches with carefully screened and trained volunteers. Group mentoring involves trained volunteer groups serving as mentors in specific site-based mentoring relationships, monitored on site. All mentoring activities are professionally managed by degreed and highly trained program team members.
Socioemotional Life Skills Classes
Provided in partnership with 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Broader Horizons, and Boys and Girls Club this programming brings invaluable weekly socioemotional skills trainings to students ranging from grades 3-8 in the afterschool setting. Using the evidence-based, CAREgeous Kids & T.R.U.S.T (Teaching Respect, Understanding, Safety and Tolerance), and the Second Step Socioemotional Learning Curricula developed by the Committee for Children, these classes equip students with positive socioemotional skills such as anger management, effective communication, self-confidence, bullying prevention and child abuse identification, reporting, and prevention. The skills are directly linked to positive adulthood outcomes.
Chase Leadership Academy
High school juniors and seniors from participating schools are mentored by Chase employees to learn essential life and career skills in a highly interactive environment learning skills such as resume writing, communication, budgeting, banking and life after high school. Students attend sessions at Chase throughout the school year, culminating in a graduation ceremony where each child receives a Chromebook or equivalent gift card courtesy of Chase.
Civic Engagement Institute for Youth
A day and a half event designed to engage local high school sophomores and juniors in the democratic process and teach best practices of civic engagement. During the institute, students work together to identify issues, share ideas and design solutions to impact real change!
For more information, call (318) 323-1505 to speak with a rep from our Monroe office, or you can call or text Ann at (318) 548-1353 if you’re in the Ruston area.
Youth Empowerment Program
1904 Royal Avenue
Monroe, LA 71201
wellspringofnela.org/yep