Youth

Hartford Street Youth Project

Social development and enrichment

• Weekly group discussions
  We offer weekly small group discussions, run by qualified staff, to address the particular concerns of Hartford youth and enhance their personal growth and development.
  
  Topics are offered on an ongoing basis in twelve-week cycles. Group sessions include life skills for boys/girls, substance abuse prevention, job readiness/career development, leadership training, and community service.
  
  Groups are held at nine Hartford elementary and middle schools and one high school (West Middle, Wish, Noah Webster, Cathedral, Milner, Betances, Burns, Annie Fisher, Kennelly, and Hartford High), and at our recreational and drop-in center at 15 Ely Street, Hartford.
  
  
• A.S.I. Youth Council
  Sponsored by Catholic Charities, Council members range from 13 to 17 years of age.
  
  Youth Council members write a newsletter called "Voices" and act as advocates for the interests of Hartford youth. Many Council members are also members of the Hartford Public Library’s Youth Advisory Board and the Wadsworth Athenaeum’s Youth Advisory Board.
  
  
• Youth Forums
  We run youth forums that address issues important to the youth in our program and the larger community. Past forum topics have included pregnancy prevention and higher education. A recent forum was held to improve relations and understanding between Hartford youth and the Hartford Police Department. This forum began with a basketball game between the youth and police officers that helped to break down barriers and defuse tensions, and it was followed by a more formal panel discussion to openly air concerns and issues.
  
  
• Recreational activities
  We offer a variety of sports, dance, arts & crafts, social, cultural, and Saturday activities on a quarterly schedule at our recreational and drop-in center. Activity selections are encouraged based on individual needs, interests and ability levels, and all of our activities are appropriately supervised. Youth are encouraged to participate in the design and implementation of our activities and services through their verbal and written feedback.