COVID-19 continues to impact the way we live our lives. Amid these changes, older youth and young adults are going through significant personal and academic transitions as well.
It’s important for learners of all ages to have the support and opportunities they deserve. With this in mind, the City and partners have created new ways of delivering programs and opportunities to older youth.
Read on to learn more about opportunities for older youth to stay active and engaged:
Intensive Prevention Services for at-risk youth
About
If your child, or a child you know, is having disciplinary issues at school, home, or in the community, Intensive Prevention Services (IPS) can help. IPS is a community-based prevention program offering meaningful programming through fun activities, experiences, and community engagement, promoting the healthy development of each child while addressing the behaviors that brought them into the program.
Each participant gets a customized service plan to:
- Strengthen their sense of self-worth.
- Enhance life skills.
- Provide academic support.
- Improve relationships at home, at school, and in the community.
Youth are referred to IPS by families, schools, the court system, or the police department. Services are free and located in six agencies across Philadelphia. Find a location near you, and learn more about the program!
Age Requirements:
10 – 19 years old
Download the PYSC “Game On Philly!” App
Everyone can stay active and connected with the Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative’s new app: Game On Philly! This free app is a one-stop shop for high-quality sports drills, workout routines, and fun games to keep kids healthy and safe while working from home.
With this app, children and teens can:
- Watch fun sports and fitness videos to learn new ways to play
- Learn new moves in their favorite sport, and new games to play alone or safely with family and friends
- Create a sense of connection with friends, classmates, and other kids in Philadelphia through the citywide scoreboard
- Locate youth sports and fitness programs near you
The app is loaded with tons of sports and fitness content created by experienced coaches specifically with kids in mind, but it’s a great way to get the entire family involved!
Check out the Game On Philly! app at pysc.org/game-philly-app
Age Requirements:
All ages!
Connect with E3 services
The Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN), together with the City of Philadelphia Office of Children and Families and Philadelphia Works, have relaunched and expanded E3 services for young adults seeking support with the next phase of their education and career.
E3 services offer customized education, employment and empowerment services to 16-24-year-olds in Philadelphia. E3 also functions as an access point for re-engagement services in Philadelphia.
To be eligible for E3 services you must be:
- A Philadelphia resident.
- Out of school or returning from juvenile placement.
There are five E3 service providers in Philadelphia. Visit the Philadelphia Youth Network’s website to find a nearby provider and begin the application process.
Age requirements:
16-24 years old
Become a Philly Reading Coach
Philly Reading Coaches (PRC) combines early reading support, access to books, and community volunteers to boost reading skills for our city’s children. Volunteers can be as young as 14!
Philly Reading Coaches’ child-guided reading program is going virtual for the 2020-2021 school year. Fill out the volunteer interest form if you are interested in reading online with a child at least once per week.
By becoming a Philly Reading Coach, teens can help ensure our city’s kids can read at grade level when they enter fourth grade. Just an hour a week can make a difference in the life of a child who is learning to read!
Age Requirements
14 years old and older
More opportunities
Additional opportunities are also available for older youth and young adults, including:
Achieving Independence Center
- Transitioning to adulthood can be overwhelming, especially for youth in foster care. The Achieving Independence Center (AIC) is a safe and communal space for teens and young adults, ages 14-21, who are currently in foster care or have been in Philadelphia foster care.
- The AIC is also currently offering mobile services for youth. For more information, text or call (215) 939-7380 or call (267) 794-8487 ext. 1219
Direct Support Professional Pre-Apprenticeship
District 1199C’s Direct Support Professional Pre-Apprenticeship Program offers young people a pathway into employment as Behavioral Health Technicians, including the opportunity to earn professional certificates and get their driver’s license. Successful participants that continue on to the Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Program can earn credits from Thomas Jefferson University. This program is open to young adults who live in Philadelphia and are 16-24 years old. For more information, please call (215) 568-2220 or email mkarcz@1199ctraining.org to speak with Program Coordinator Mark Karcz.
Philadelphia Youth Leadership Council (PYLC)
The PYLC program offers leadership, public speaking, and relationship-building skills for 7th-12th grade students, in order to build the next generation of Philadelphia leaders. For more information, email Michael Rice at Michael.rice@phila.gov, or call 215-683-5645.
Download the “Youth Matters: Philly” Resource App
For youth looking for the right resource to help, this app is for you! This app is designed to help Philly youth find and access local resources, like shelters, housing, foodbanks, healthcare providers, and more. Life is hectic, stressful, and sometimes it can be hard to find the information you need. This app will help you connect to nearby resources and services. Use the search functions to see a map of local resources and advocates who can help you right now.
More information is available at youthmattersphilly.org.
