Youth Services
Youth Educational Success
The Youth Educational Success (YES) Program exists to keep kids in school and
to support citywide programs for youth during school hours, after-school
and in the summer. Youth success is vital in the effort to break the poverty
cycle, as over half of the HACA population is under the age of 18.
Working with the community, HACA sponsors after-school tutoring programs
on-site at HACA communities, in-school case management services for students,
incentive programs and a higher education scholarship program. Additionally,
HACA's YES Program coordinates with local providers of quality after-school
non-scholastic programs to ensure public housing youth are engaged in healthy,
safe and meaningful activities outside of school hours.
Academic Incentive Program
HACA promotes education as a pathway to be successful in life. In an effort to encourage success in school, HACA developed an incentive program for school-aged children. Students who have made the A/B honor roll and/or have perfect attendance during the school year earn a gift card and have a chance to attend the year-end trip. Past incentives trips have included bowling, laser tag, and miniature golf, and lunch at the Main Event Fun Center.
HACA also partners with Austin Partners in Education to provide an unique volunteer opportunity available to all HACA employees. The school-based mentoring program allows employees to interact one-on-one with a student living in HACA Public Housing.
Other Youth Oriented After-School Programming
The Boys and Girls Club
The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Capital Area provide safe, positive places where children can build their futures as responsible and caring citizens. These programs are available to children ages 6-17 years of age. Two clubs operate at HACA public housing sites serving over 150 youth per month. The on-site clubs are at Chalmers Courts and Thurmond Heights.
The Clubs' programs include character and leadership developments, education and career development, the arts, alcohol and drug awareness and prevention, belonging and power of influence. The Boys and Girls Club is the positive place for kids!
Lifeworks
Lifeworks provides therapeutic programming for middle school youth at BTW and Meadowbrook/Bouldin. Lifeworks provides after-school programming at both Meadowbrook/Bouldin (held at Bouldin) and BTW. Lifeworkâs hosts group activities such as cooking, science experiments, art, photography and service learning 2 days per week at each site.
Phoenix House Program
Phoenix House provides on-site and off-site prevention/intervention groups for male youth, ages 8-13, living at Meadowbrook.
Theatre Action Project
Theatre Action Project provides afterschool and school break arts activities 2 days per week for HACA youth at Shadowbend, Meadowbrook and Booker T. Washington. For the summer break, Theatre Action Project hosted a week long summer camp in August at four sites: Booker T. Washington, Meadowbrook, Santa Rita and Shadowbend.
YWCA
The YWCA provides services to girls, ages 8-17. This program consists of school-based groups, after-school programming and a summer day-camp. The school-based groups focus on education and skills training. After-school programs provide recreational and cultural activities, as well as prevention education on a variety of high-risk issues for adolescent girls. At summer day-camp, groups are formed for recreational, cultural, and educational activities, as well as drug and alcohol abuse prevention. Workshops are held with the girls and mentors to discuss goal setting, social skills, decision-making and communication.
Scouts
Girl Scouts is the opportunity of a lifetime and is open to all girls ages 7-11. Girl Scouts exposes girls to the "real world" and prepares them to meet the challenges of tomorrow's society. The Lone Star Girl Scout Council serves HACA youth from Georgian Manor, Santa Rita, Shadowbend and Goodrich, Manchaca Village, Booker T. Washington, Rosewood, and Coronado Hills.
The Boy Scouts of America provide an educational program for boys and young men to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness. The Boy Scouts meet at Georgian Manor, Santa Rita, and Booker T. Washington.
Parenting Classes
Parenting Classes are offered at various HACA family properties. Classes include parenting skills for parents of pre-k through graduation age children and groups for the children. The parent groups explore issues such as communication and active listening, emotions, setting limits, encouraging independence, discipline and media influence. Children's and youth curriculum includes similar themes, so parents and children can discuss and practice new skills in the home together.
YES to College
The Texas Diversity Council provides services to middle school and high school students for college readiness and exploration, and adult case management.
Youth Sports
The HACA Dropout Prevention program strives to engage youth in positive
activities - academic, social, and physical. Efforts to introduce youth
to the rewards of sports and fitness include weekly karate classes with
Diversified Youth Services.
Sports and fitness activities are incorporated into the activities of all
YES Programs as well.
Youth Technology
HACA youth learn computer and technology skills through classes provided
by the Austin Area Urban League. Youth Technology classes are held at Booker
T. Washington Neighborhood Network, Rosewood/Salina, Northgate, and Georgian
Manor- two days per week at each site.
