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Robinson Gardens Teens Learn Leadership Skills with YEAH! Network

Robinson Gardens Teens Learn Leadership Skills with YEAH! Network

Revised YEAH end partySet a goal, make a plan, and stick with it.

Avoid angry confrontations by learning how to communicate.

Accept life’s changes and know that what matters when you’re 16 is sure to change as you grow up.

Those are among the lessons learned over the past 11 weeks by the dozen Springfield Housing Authority teens who participated in the YEAH! (Youth Engagement Adolescent Health) Network leadership program at Robinson Gardens Apartments.

The teens recently celebrated a successful completion of the program with YEAH! Network leadership certificates and a pizza party. Participants agreed the weekly sessions were time well spent.

“It was excellent,” said Raemiah Brown, 14, who attended the sessions every week. “I loved everything about it, and it will definitely make a difference in my life. I’m more serious about school, and what I’m going to do with myself.”

YEAH! Network officials came to the development with assistance from the Robinson Gardens Youth Group, formed last year as part of SHA’s involvement with the Talk/Read/Succeed! program. T/R/S! is funded with a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, managed by the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation to promote family literacy.

The YEAH! (Youth Engagement Adolescent Health)  sessions began last October and ran 11 weeks, with speakers and events that focused on life choices, leadership skills, education, employment, and avoiding risky behavior that leads to things like pregnancy and substance abuse.

At the final session, Yasmin Ibrahim, who conducted workshops through a partnership with Holyoke•Chicopee•Springfield Head Start’s TLC: Building Healthy Relationships Program, conducted a lively review of topics touched on over the course of the program.

Among the highlights were:

  • Accepting life changes – “As you change, your relationships change. That’s natural. As you grow older, your circle of friends grows smaller. You’re drawn to people who share your values and goals.”
  • Goal-setting – She urged teens to set a goal, write up a detailed plan showing how to get there, and then make it work.
  • Improving communication skills – This will help in all areas of life, from family living to personal and professional relationships.
  • Understanding the difference between physical attraction and love – This skill can be used to avoid relationships that are destined to be destructive.
  • Knowing one’s emotional triggers – These are connected to anger, but can be marshaled for positive life changes.
  • Managing anger – See above.
  • Learning how to manage money – No way to overstate this one.
  • Believing in oneself – Self-respect and self-love must exist before other relationships can thrive.

Ibrahim said she felt certain that all participants gained from the sessions. Besides that, she loved the work.

“I think it’s going to make a big difference in their lives,” Ibrahim said. “These are wonderful, responsible kids. It’s been one of my favorite groups to work with.”

Teens agreed wholeheartedly.

“It was good,” said 16-year-old Nakei Quarterman. “We talked about a lot of stuff and we learned good things. We got to thinking about stuff like making choices, and what we want to do with our lives.”

Jack Towles, president of the youth group at Robinson Gardens Apartments, and Jimmie Mitchell, SHA youth engagement coordinator, at a recent celebration of the YEAH! Network youth leadership program.

Jack Towles, president of the youth group at Robinson Gardens Apartments, and Jimmie Mitchell, SHA youth engagement coordinator, at a recent celebration of the YEAH! Network youth leadership program

Jack Towles, who is president of the Robinson Gardens Youth Group, said he, too, appreciated the having the YEAH! Network program.

“I liked learning about making decisions, relationships, love, trust, respect and growing up,” said Towles, who is working towards a GED so he can join the military. “It’s helped me a lot. I know a lot more about how to act and behave, and how to do good things for myself.”

Jimmie Mitchell, SHA’s youth engagement coordinator, said the YEAH! Network brought all good things to participants.

“This program was beyond excellent,” Mitchell said. “It held all the kids’ attention, and they all kept coming back every week. You know you’ve got something good when the kids like it.”

4053 days ago / Community Events,Our Residents
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