Wallingford Family YMCA - Making a Difference for At-Risk Youth

[Written by Cassandra Allen, Teen & Family Director at the Wallingford Family YMCA]

When I first met Kevin* as a 7th grader in the summer of 2016, he really liked telling me NO, especially when it came to art. I remember him sitting under the tent, refusing to do a simple project, calling it stupid and defiantly sitting there not participating. Six months later, he excitedly completed the same project and he couldn’t wait to show his sister. As his grandmother says, “Upward Bound has become a part of [Kevin]’s life. My grandson is a shy young man who has low self-esteem. He has serious learning disabilities with emotional challenges. Because of his LD, he has difficulties in school and making friends. He has no interest in sports or social activities. He tried soccer, karate and school clubs, but quickly lost interest. Whatever we suggested, he was not interested. When he entered Moran Middle School, and was introduced to Upward Bound, his life changed. He has attended Upward Bound summer camp every year; something he looks forward to doing. He has attended the after school program at the YMCA during the school year. He doesn’t ever want to miss a session. This program is the only activity in which he is involved. It has helped him with patience, respect and socializing with other students.” Now a sophomore in high school, Kevin & I laugh about how he almost threw a controller out of the window during camp that summer because he lost a game, as we get ready to start a Smash Bros tournament with the other kids.

Upward Bound is a free program designed to help at-risk Wallingford students grow & develop in a constructive environment with positive role models. Youth are challenged to reach past their limitations, whether real or self-perceived, with decision-making opportunities, recreational activities, and positive self-expression. The goal of Upward Bound is to develop social skills, analytical thinking and self-esteem by creating an atmosphere where youth & teens feel safe, valued and free to express themselves. In 2016, this program served 18 middle school students. Now, Upward Bound has over 135 participants in grades four through twelve. This rapid growth is due to the support of the community and the innovation of the staff to continue to provide this program for the youth that need it. Participants have been identified as needing help developing social skills and self-esteem, and have difficulty fitting in to traditional after-school activities. While there is no income requirement to participate, the majority of students earn below the median income. Many come from single-parent households, are children of divorce, or are raised by a guardian who is not their parent. Others have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder or other disabilities. Youth are recommended for the elementary & middle school Upward Bound programs by their school social workers. Other students have also been referred to the program by other youth services organizations and local therapists. Most high school Upward Bound participants are those who were a part of Upward Bound in middle school.

As the facilitator of Upward Bound, I am extremely fortunate to work with these kids each and every day. Another youth who has difficulty getting out of bed in the morning due to extreme anxiety, looks forward to attending Upward Bound each week and is one of my most enthusiastic participants. Even with his anxiety and ADHD, he listens very well, always helps me set up and clean up our activities and helps the other kids in the program understand what we are doing each day. I have students in Special Education and others in the Gifted program, from all socio-economic backgrounds and circumstances, but they have all found a home in Upward Bound. Luckily, even throughout the current Coronavirus crisis, the program is still alive and well. We still meet daily for Virtual groups, game together online and are connected, even though we are all apart.

For more information on the Upward Bound program, visit the Wallingford Family YMCA website or contact Cassie Allen at callen@wallingfordymca.org.

*Name changed for privacy.