The Center for Pan Asian Community Services provides a variety of educational programs for Asian American youth. Our youth program director and youth coordinators strive to provide Asian American and other minority youth with enjoyable and comprehensive programs to improve the youth’s physical, academic and social needs. CPACS youth programs serve elementary, middle school and high school youth with sites in Dekalb, Fulton, Cobb and Gwinnett County. After school Programs: CPACS aims to help build a healthy, caring and responsible community by increasing youth academic achievement, increasing youths' internal assets (i.e., commitment to learning, caring for others, self-esteem, etc.) and reducing youth risk to alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. CPACS afterschool programs provide youth with a safe and quality educational enrichment program providing assistance with homework tutorial, lifeskills trainings and skill-based education workshops on preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use. Community Action Teens (CAT): The CAT program is intended for youth ages 14 – 18 who want to work together to learn and develop leadership skills in order to make a difference in their lives, families, schools and communities. CAT youth become advocates against challenging issues that trouble young people their age, namely alcohol and tobacco use. CAT members also participate in numerous community service projects aimed at building appreciation and respect for community, fostering leadership development and community service skills. CAT members meet on a regular basis and plan projects for the community. Jobs for PAY (Pan Asian Youth): Jobs for Pay, the high school youth summer program, finished its 11th year this summer. The program serves low-income immigrant and refugee youth from numerous countries. For 5 weeks, Monday through Friday students participate in life skills training, career exploration activities, math, computer, and English tutorials, and community service. This year students took their energy into the fields by helping farm the organic garden at Georgia Hunger Coalition! Jobs for Pay emphasizes experiential education, in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection. For example, last year students participated in a mock career fair, complete with onsite interviews and the creation of personal resumes. Afterwards, the teachers helped the students reassess their professional presentation skills.
Zone 3 Middle School Program: Founded in 2007, Zone 3 specifically targets middle school students, many of whom have recently immigrated to the United States, struggle with English and other academic subjects, and have a heightened risk of joining gangs and dropping out of school. Yet these youth also possess a remarkable resilience and often are responsible within their families to help pay bills or care for siblings. During middle school, as the school curriculum becomes more complex and students struggle to understand their changing bodies and personal relationships, a safe and nurturing environment is essential. Students attend music lessons through a partnership with Little 5 Points Music Center (www.l5pmusiccenter.org) and photography lessons through Wonderroot Community Arts Center (www.wonderroot.org) . For more information about youth program services, contact CPACS at 770-936-0969. |
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