Metropolitan Youth Program

   Mission Statement

The Metropolitan Youth Program has a multifaceted mission:

Our mission is to educate children at risk, offering them the expanded advantages of full participation in our society, which can only be achieved after elevating their self-esteem and their scholastic levels.

It is our goal to assist children at risk of all races, to develop a positive self-image, set realistic yet significant goals and benefit from first-hand experiences in positive social relationships.

We are a unique resource to help manage the many challenges that keep our children from being successful such as low self-esteem, poor personal health, family situations, gangs, teen-pregnancy, substance abuse and poor school performance. Operated entirely by volunteers who are excellent role models because many are from backgrounds similar to those they serve. They provide a powerful example that belief in one’s self, hand work, discipline and goal setting can achieve success.

“Once We Reach Them, We Can Teach Them” is the attitude that formed the Metropolitan Youth Program. The targeted age group is 6-20. As precision drill team serves as the main “kid attractor”. However Metro has offered as many as 12 different activities for the children participate in. Report cards are documented to find the ones in need of tutoring. The overall grade point average has been consistent 2.85 over a 15-year span. Three years ago two children who started in our program in second grade returned as college grads and established a summer and the Harlem Renaissance Era.  We currently have 10 young adults who have gone through the program working in various activities with us today. After 18 years the future looks bright as the young adults return they bring new life to old traditions and improve the quality of the programs and activities.

The Metropolitan Youth Program won the prestigious Points Of Light Award January 15, 1999. Since that day the Metropolitan Youth Program added over 15,000 more service hour per year and three more activities. Last year Metro accounted for over 75,000 contact hours this year Metro will reestablish a Learn As We Grow activity, which will bring professional people to provide seminars for the children and adults.

After 21 years we are and will continue to be: METRO

MOTIVATED ENOUGH TO RUN ON

Ken Martin, President

P.O. Box 6098– Rock Island IL 61201- (309) 786-3073