YMCA Teen Achievers Program Adds Two Locations

Here at the beginning of the school year, one of the biggest academic assistance resources in Greenville County is expanding. Middle and high school students have two new resources for academic help and social activity as the YMCA Teen Achievers program expands to six locations for the 2012-13 school year. 

Teen Achievers is a national Y program that prepares teens for college and the workforce through tutoring, mentoring, and job shadowing programs. The program is free and open to any student in Greenville County who is in the seventh grade or above. The program is open to all teens, but is targeted to teens in underserved communities whose interactions with positive role models is often limited. 

The Y Teen Achievers program helps raise academic standards, exposes teens to careers, provides teens with successful role models, creates a channel for community involvement by the business community, and recognizes achievement and excellence.

Y Teen Achievers began in 1967 in Texas as YMCA Black Achievers. Since then, the program has grown and is available through YMCAs across the country. The YMCA of Greenville is the first Y in the Upstate to provide a Teen Achievers program.

“The Teen Achievers program is win-win for Greenville,” said Y Teen Achievers director Leonard Fields. “The students are motivated to set goals and develop a clear path to a career, and business leaders who volunteer to participate are cultivating the workforce of the future.”

According to Scot Baddley, President and CEO of the Geenville Y, it is the success of Teen Achievers over its 45 year history that is most compelling. “The input from dedicated professional men and women makes the difference. All children need successful role models and adult encouragement. This program has proven to make a difference in such areas as grade improvement, writing skills, and a positive outlook.”

Y Teen Achievers was formerly based in the FYI Teen Center on Main Street in downtown Greenville. Now, with the Y’s Teen Services and South Carolina Youth In Government headquarters move to YMCA Adams Mill Program Center in Simpsonville, Teen Achievers has expanded into six locations thoughout Greenville: 

• Sterling Community Center 
• Anderson Road Library 
• Heritage Community 
• Augusta Road Library 
• YMCA Metro Office 
• Eastside Family YMCA   

For information about Y Teen Achievers, to download an application, or for information on becoming a volunteer with the Y Teen Achievers program, visit: 
www.ymcagreenville.org/teen-achievers.php.

Key Date:
Teen Takeover: Y Teen Achievers Kickoff. 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Caine Halter Family Y, 723 Cleveland St. Greenville.

Features:

• Pool party
• DJ
• 3-on-3 basketball tournament
• Live music showcase
• Admissions reps from local colleges
• And more