IN-SCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAM

YMCA of Rock River Valley
Learn to Earn
200 Y Boulevard
Rockford, IL 61107
(815)489-1133

Description of Services

The YMCA’s Learn to Earn program serves at-risk youth aged 16 and older. The program provides extensive mentoring and counseling, job-readiness and life-skills instruction, job shadowing, internships (with job coaching by program staff), and tutoring.

During the school year, the youth meet after school for two hours twice a week with individual counseling/mentoring for each youth performed at other times.

During the summer, youth participate in the program eight hours per week, except when they are in an internship (20 hours per week for four weeks) with various local employers. Mentoring and case management are on-going throughout the year.

The program employs a certified teacher and degreed instructors to tutor the youth. The instructors also will provide study skills training and discuss technical schools/colleges, providing information about technical school/college enrollment and financial aid.

OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAM

YMCA of Rock River Valley
Link to Success
200 Y Boulevard
Rockford, IL 61107
(815) 489-1133

Description of Services

The YMCA’s Link to Success program serves 17- and 18- year old youth from Boone and Winnebago counties, emphasizing their obtaining a GED as the basic link to future training and successful employment. The program provides GED instruction with extensive tutoring outside regular class hours, as well as training in basic job and life skills, drug abuse prevention, gang awareness, study skills, and a host of other topics all designed to direct youth toward a career pathway leading to self-sufficiency through employment and post-GED education and training.

The program offers all youth “Y” memberships and significant incentives for achieving their goals. The Belvidere YMCA will also refer youth to the program.