Valley Youth Services
The Valley Community Association’s “Striving For Excellence” Youth Program meets the needs of the “at risk” and impoverished youth in the Buffalo River Community. The activities and programs that comprise the VCA’s program improve student achievement and learning by offering a comprehensive, structured, schedule based program that includes not only academic remediation but also academic enrichment activities; a broad array of additional services, programs and activities; and family services. The program meets the diverse needs of all students by offering a variety of hands-on, project based, high quality, fun activities that meet student’s different learning styles. The program helps youth improve academically, increases their exposure to academically enriching activities such as science and art, and offers a positive alternative to going home to an empty house or hanging on a street corner. Youth are exposed to new experiences and knowledge that they otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience.
“Striving For Excellence” is a highly structured, non-drop-in program that focuses on academic assistance as well as academic enrichment and has been in existence for over 15 years. Youth arrive at the Center around 3pm and receive a full meal. At 3:30pm each day, youth are broken down by grade groups & rotate with their group every 45 minutes to different activities. There are three blocks per day and youth are scheduled in different activities each day, with the exception of homework help which is scheduled daily.