Youth Initiative

Using funds provided from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, HACAP has developed a Youth Initiative program. HACAP’s Youth Initiative works to create opportunities for children from families negatively impacted by the economic downturn to participate in school and after school activities. The Youth Initiative strives to provide Youth Development Scholarships and Activity Fees for families that cannot afford the equipment or participation fees in skill development activities.

Youth Development Scholarships are designed to assist young people build job skills by engaging low-income youth in activities in which they otherwise would not have the opportunity to participate. Scholarships will be given to income and academically qualifying students who agree to repay the value of the scholarship in a volunteer community service. Scholarships may include (but are not limited to) summer camps, science camp, athletic camp, band camp, etc.

Youth Activity Fees will be used for income-eligible youth to participate in community events or purchase necessary equipment to participate in those events (swimming passes, YMCA sport fee or other standard/routine widely participated in community activities).

HACAP’s Youth Initiative also includes a work skill development component. As a part of this program, community partners are developed to provide work experience for youth. This can include experience in a permanent job location or on a short term project, paid or unpaid. The primary focus of this is allowing youth the opportunity to work with an adult who will role model good work skills and who can serve as a reference for their future endeavors.