Teen REACH After-School Program

Westside Holistic Family Services Teen REACH After-school program is a year-round After-School Program for low-income children and youth in the Austin & West Garfield Park communities between the ages of 6 – 17. The program operates two locations: 6-13 yr olds at Westside Holistic Family Service Center, 4909 W. Division St., and 14-17 yr olds at Crane High School, 2245 W. Jackson Blvd. The program provides: Homework Assistance * Life Skills Education * Sports and Recreational activities * Community Service Projects * Field Trips * Cultural Outings. The program also strongly encourages Parental Involvement.

The program operates Monday – Friday from 2:30pm – 6:00pm during the school year. During the summer months (July & August), it operates Monday – Friday from 11:00am – 4:00pm. Teen REACH integrates community efforts on behalf of children and youth, working in collaboration with local schools, faith-based organizations, businesses, human service providers and the Illinois Department of Human Services. The program currently serves 125 -150 children annually with an average daily attendance of approximately 50 youth (with a waiting list during the summer months). For more information, call (773) 265-8884.

The mission of the Teen REACH Program is to expand the range of positive life choices and opportunities that can enable, empower and encourage youth to make those choices. It serves as a positive alternative for the children and youth from low-income and single-parent households during afterschool hours. The youth in these communities are plagued by negative stereotypes and impacted by violence, gang affiliation, substance abuse, early sexual activity, etc. These issues impact their social and emotional development, which in turn, impact their academic performance in school and their ability to formulate healthy "life plans". Westside Holistic provides a positive, safe, nurturing environment for these youth and their families to engage in various educational, recreational and social activities that are designed to help them realize their capacity and ability to make more productive "life-plans", thereby allowing them to become better citizens and make positive contributions to our society.

• Academic Improvement: Participants will maintain or improve school attendance; participants will maintain or improve grades and/or progress reports in school; participants will achieve academic promotions and graduations.
• Life Skills Education: Participants will increase their knowledge of the harmful effects of substance use and abuse; the harmful effects of early sexual activity and pregnancy; and practice anger management and conflict resolution skills – among many topics.
• Sports/Recreation: Participants are provided opportunities to engage in physical exercise, develop leisure time hobbies and interests; learn and demonstrate sportsmanship and athletic skills.
• Parental Involvement: Parents are provided positive opportunities to meet other parents, identify common interests and concerns, and develop action plans and activities to address parental issues; engage in positive and effective communication with their children or teens; participate in program events, community activities, and cultural/educational outings to enhance family relationships.
• Community Service: Participants choose a community service project to engage in that would be of benefit to residents and/or the neighborhood.