Choice

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The Choice Program at UMBC utilizes a community-based, family-centered approach in order to promote positive outcomes for young people and families in Maryland. Our AmeriCorps Members serve as advocates and work to connect families to self-identified, needed resources and reinforce a strengths-based, anti-racist, approach to youth development.

We engage in a collaborative process of service: where young people set goals for themselves and are supported by their Choice mentors along the way.

 

To us, youth development includes:

  • being available to our youth consistently, often making visits to meet with them on a daily basis;
  • using a strengths-based approach to promote positive self-image;
  • using a holistic approach to honor every aspect of a person’s life;
  • developing high expectations and holding youth accountable to their own progress on goals;
  • forming a mentoring relationship that is built on trust and rapport;
  • engaging with families and assisting as a communication link;
  • fostering self-sufficiency by building life-skills;
  • providing opportunities for meaningful engagement through structured after-school, weekend and summer activities, and job readiness training.

More info about The Choice Program can be found at choiceprograms.org