Youth Programs

The Outreach Prevention Program is one of our signature programs. It provides workers in one elementary school, two middle schools and two high schools in the Sioux City Community School District. Our outreach workers have anywhere from 20 to 25 students on their caseloads. By bridging the gap between home, school and law enforcement, they’re able to intervene before problems occur. They track academics, behavior issues and, most important, reach out to students at their homes. Our initial goal was to intervene in troubled situations. As the number of gangs has diminished, we’ve been able to shift the focus to prevention. Today, we inform youth about the truth behind gangs and the harsh requirements that come with that life. From Monday through Thursday, we serve between 25-30 elementary-aged students after school. Our program is designed to keep them safe, help them with homework and integrate them with peers through games and activities. We provide transportation from the school to the center and, after the program, to the students’ homes. We also serve them a hot meal before they return to their families.