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Research Foundation CUNY on behalf of Hunter College CUNY
129 E. 79th Street,
New York, NY 10075
(212) 772-4020 (Phone)
(212) 772-4941 (Fax)

The Hunter College School of Social Work of the City University of New York (CUNY) is a nationally recognized leader in social work education. It was ranked as 14th out of more than 140 graduate social work programs in the country.

Bridges Youth Empowerment Program
$300,000
Robert Abramovitz
212-452-7184
r.abramovitz@gmail.com

Abstract

The Bridges Youth Empowerment Program is designed to address the serious health and safety issues that are faced by minority youth in East Harlem. Bridges is designed to empower students who come from troubled homes and regularly face personal, economic and educational obstacles, by helping them gain self-confidence, new skills and experiences and a greater awareness of their own potential while strengthening their ability to meet life's challenges and guide their own futures. The project will focus on reproductive health issues, including efforts to reduce unwanted pregnancies, HIV/AIDS and STDs, as well as on chronic disease prevention, including efforts targeting weight management and lack of physical activity. A significant focus of the program will also be won by supporting academic success, encouraging higher education as a goal and fostering an interest in careers related to science, technology, engineering and math. Strategies, practices and interventions include a rigorous afterschool program of academic skill-building activities, personal development and wellness workshops and small groups, individual counseling and enriching electives. A summer program focused on science, technology, engineering and math. The program will also seek family engagement through regular staff-parent contacts, a Parental Advisory Council, monthly "socials," workshops, college trips and referrals to other services. Expected outcomes include positive changes in reproductive health and health and wellness practices for the youth, as well as improved academic engagement and performance. Performance measures include the number of participants attending 50 hours of Saturday programming, the number of students completing portfolio projects and the percentage of participants meeting annual yearly progress as determined by New York State Standardized ELA and Math tests. The evaluation will track an array of academic, life skills, personal development and wellness and cultural enrichment outcomes. Through standardizing screening and survey instruments, focus groups, interviews and secondary data sources (e.g., report cards). The team will track progress on major program goals, with evaluation of short-term and intermediate goals serving as guideposts to the anticipated long-term outcomes.

OMH objective(s) toward which the project's results most contribute:

• Increased awareness, education, & outreach to address racial/ethnic minority health & health disparities problems