Creating a strong support network for our students is a key element of American YouthWorks’ comprehensive approach to helping our students succeed and become self-sufficient adults. Only students enrolled in the American YouthWorks Charter High School are able to take advantage of the following essential services, which help remove barriers to academic and employment success:
Parent/Child Development Center
American YouthWorks’ Parent/Child Development Center (PCDC) offers an onsite nursery and computer lab for parenting youth to bring their babies to school. Due to the high percentage of local youth who drop out of high school in order to care for their children, AYW opened the PCDC to allow its youth to remain in high school while learning critical parenting skills. In addition, the infants and toddlers are provided with quality time with their parents and are surrounded with caring adults.
Counseling Services
Youth at American YouthWorks often face challenges far beyond their years. Many are already pregnant or parenting, others have become involved in the criminal justice system, have significant problems with their families, or are already living on their own.
In a safe and supportive environment, American YouthWork’s social work counselors help participants develop the internal and external resources they need to effectively deal with the challenges of school, work, family, and every day life. These caring and committed professionals help participants deal with every day barriers to success. Assistance ranges from help with critical emergencies such as shelter or food, to anger management, childcare acquisition, and life skills development.
Mentoring and Tutoring
American YouthWorks offers students year-round mentoring and tutoring from members of local businesses and community leaders to provide hands-on assistance in core subject areas. Mentors include professionals, such as attorneys, engineers, contractors, and medical personnel. We conduct a Saturday School with a home-cooked hot meal, throughout the academic year, for students to receive one-on-one tutoring. To find out more out mentoring email Louise Liller at lliller@americanyouthworks.org or click here for more info.
Supplemental Educational Services (SES)
Your child may be eligible for free tutoring and other supplemental academic enrichment services. These services are called “Supplemental Educational Services” under No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Supplemental Educational Services are programs offering extra help in academic subjects, such as reading, language arts and mathematics, provided free-of-charge to certain students. These services are provided outside of the regular school day-before or after school, on weekends, in schools, in program provider centers, or at a student’s home. Follow this link to learn more about our Supplemental Educational Services (SES) or contact Maria Pinales at mpinales@americanyouthworks.org or (512)744-1935.
Internships and Professional Certification Opportunities
American YouthWorks provides paid and unpaid community based internships to participants interested in earning real world work experience. Internships are individualized to the student’s career interest and schedule. To enroll in an internship, a student must already be enrolled in American YouthWorks Charter High School.
American YouthWorks job training program offers professional certifications in a variety of industry recognized fields. A participant must already be enrolled in a job training program to participate in a certification program. Past certification offerings include OSHA, PACT, TABC, and Chain Saw Usage.
