Replicating Health and Wellness in New Mexico
August 14, 2015
Youth participate in "YoKid," which teaches youth healthy lifestyle skills through the practice of mindfulness and movement through yoga.
"ACF’s mission – and the mission of our entire Department – is to make sure that every American has the opportunity to obtain the building blocks of a healthy and productive life. I look forward to working with you to move this mission forward by strengthening the relationships that drive progress; and building strong teams with the talent and focus needed to deliver impact."
-Sylvia Burwell, HHS Secretary
Every day across the nation, Runaway and Homeless Youth, Domestic Violence Prevention and Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention grantees connect with programs to make a positive impact.
Recently, we had the pleasure of learning about how one of our grantees is partnering. We wanted to share this conversation with all of you!
Although we know that there are many FYSB grantees doing a great job, this blog highlights the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy located in Virginia. Christine Wong Mineta serves as director of this program. Highlights from our conversation are below:
Who are your current program partners?
Wong Mineta: ACAP’s partners who teach teen pregnancy prevention evidence-based practices includes:
- Capital Youth Empowerment Program, Inc.
- Alexandria City Public Schools
- Alexandria Department of Community & Human Services
- YoKid…Stretch Your Limits (YoKid)
- Virginia Cooperative Extension, 4-H Youth Development Program
The ACAP PREP Project partners are truly the core of our success. Because our current partners have strong relationships within the community, we are able to gain access to more youth. ACAP PREP Project’s sites where youth receive teen pregnancy prevention evidence-based services include:
- T.C. Williams High School: main campus (10-12th grade)
- Minnie Howard Campus (9th grade)
- George Washington Middle (7th & 8th grade)
- Francis C. Hammond Middle (7th & 8th grade)
- Jefferson-Houston (7th & 8th grade)
- Northern Virginia Detention Center
- Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic Boys and Girls Club
- Department of Recreation, Park and Cultural Activity
- Alexandria Court Service Unit
What factors have contributed to your partnership success?
Wong Mineta: Our partners are:
- Open-minded
- Willing to use a youth development framework
- Committed to their roles
- Frequently model positive characteristics
- Extend themselves beyond the time that we are with them
Have your partners implemented one-of-a-kind approaches to serving youths?
Wong Mineta: Yes. One of ACAP PREP Project’s partners is the movement, meditation and nutrition component.
YoKid teaches youth healthy lifestyle skills through the practice of mindfulness and movement (yoga). This is often the first time that youth have attempted to calm their mind and practice saying positive affirmations.
When asked to share a word that best described their experience participating in Project Success and their partners, what did your youth participants say?
Wong Mineta: Our youth have shared that:
- “Project Success is a great outlet.”
- “The program helped them learn how to ask for help”
In 2014, our performance data found most youth reported positive perceptions of the teen pregnancy prevention programs.
We look forward to sharing more highlights from our Runaway and Homeless Youth and Domestic Violence Prevention programs soon!
This blog was authored by members of the Family and Youth Services Bureau’s Partnership Team.
