Behavior Health and Wellness and Leadership Program

Health and Wellness Program (HWP) teaches youth from the African diaspora how to live and maintain healthy lifestyles, work with parents, teachers, and other adults within the community, and to recognize and address unhealthy behaviors. This component is led by two of our Board Members with Doctorates in Psychology, and Public Health, and are certified Mental Health First Aid Instructors that ensure TYA staff members are trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA).

The HWP provides several monthly Health & Wellness workshops and activities, biweekly Mindfulness sessions and an annual Wellness & Leadership retreat for the youth. Family counseling is also provided as needed. Our psychologists link families to therapeutic services and educational assessments when needed.

The HWP works in tandem with the Leadership program offering sessions that examine African-American youth images in social media and hip hop culture, provides tools for positive emotional development, team-building and communication. Sessions are conducted on anger management, mindfulness, navigating peer pressure, tools for managing depression and anxiety, as well as leadership exercises and tasks.

College Preparatory, is another aspect of the Health & Wellness program, is used to help members build resumes, prepare their college essays, assist with the various portals for applying to schools, tutoring, etc.

Several studies have found that participation in the arts and related developmental activities produce several outcomes including, greater communication in the family, fewer psychological problems, decreased involvement in risky behaviors, increased self-esteem, increased sense of personal control, and better development of life skills, such as leadership, decision making, dependability and responsibility (Scales &; Leffert, 1999).

"We believe the arts come from the soul and providing the young people with tools to expand their capacity of living as a healthy human being allows their artistic expressions to manifest not only on stage but in their lives."

~ Arla Little Victory, Director

Program Benefits

• Self-efficacy

• Belonging

• Confidence

• Generosity

• Teamwork Skills

• Relationship Skills

• Decision Making

• Optimistic Thinking