YOUTH

In a time of apparent economic slowdown and threat to national security, problems of drug and alcohol abuse, school dropout rates, teenage pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, and youth homelessness go too often unrecognized, especially as these problems are most prevalent among low-income immigrant families, particularly in minority populations. In reality, the intensity of these problems is far more serious than outwardly appears.

The seriousness of the youth problems in our city has caused a growing sense of urgency among parents, immigrant communities and government agencies concerned with ways to improve the current conditions and future prospects of these youths. However, while community mobilization, enhancement of economic power, services directed towards youth, and coordinated lobbying and advocacy measures may bring desired results in the long term, in the short term more immediate action needs to be taken to rectify the problems facing young people.

In general, today’s youth are faced with many problems, often exacerbated by peer pressure. The most serious include school difficulties, depression that often leads to suicide, substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, homelessness, peer conflicts, pregnancy, unmet basic needs, health problems, violence, gang activity, and the need for employment. In a survey recently conducted by COPO, it was found that most of the hate crime and abuse incidents after the tragic events of 9/11 happened in educational institutions. Serious concerns have been raised by the parents, educationists and community based organizations about school violence. To combat this problem, it is suggested that innovative ways and means be adopted so that young people are off the streets, and involved in community improvement activities along with the need for intensive job training, flexible work hours and better pay.

It is with this in mind that we construed the Youth Program at COPO. The goal of the Youth Program is to prepare young people between the ages of 14 and 21 for what we call the “road to life”. To accomplish this goal, COPO tries to promote educational and social support for young people from low-income immigrant families in Brooklyn. Our youth program is based on the age old concept of - a healthy mind makes a healthy body and therefore we strive to ensure access to free and high-quality educational programs designed to transform young people at risk to better participatory and effective citizens.

The programs are aimed to not only provide young people with alternative activities to crime, drugs, and gangs but at the same time provide them with learning opportunities through participation in educational improvement and programs which include, but are not limited to, career readiness training, academic enhancement, leadership development, counseling/support services and stress reduction through meditation. The programs envisage adopting the young people as a subject and not as an object of development. While we use young people as the stepping stones, the tools used are studies, sports, arts and stress management.

• UNITY EFFORT PROJECT Click here to read more

• NEIGHBORHOOD AWAKENING PROJECT Click here to read more

• COMMUNITY YOUTH PROGRAM Click here to read more

• PHOTO PROJECT Click here to read more