SISTAZ Reaching Out Youth Programs is for increasing community participation and commitment to our 

youth. In addition, we offer additional support to young girls who are looking for help such as teen 

pregnancy, runaways and abused teens; be it physical, verbal or emotional abuse they may be facing. 

We will support them by providing the best help by referring them to the appropriate agencies, resources 

and assistance in the New York and New Jersey States. SRO Youth Programs work with our youth between 

the ages of 9 to 17 year-old and we will help them develop character and leadership, while increasing their 

levels of self esteem and confidence to engage in positive, healthy lifestyles. We will encourage them to 

become STRONGER YOUNG WOMEN AND MEN; WHILE PREPARING THEM TO PROCEED IN LIFE AS 

INDEPENDENT AND POWERFUL INDIVIDUALS AND POSITIVE ROLE MODELS TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

Youth Programs - See our Calendar for Program Dates and Class Hours

• Youth Leadership Program

  This program is transformative. A Leadership Program is the ideal format for youths to develop confidence in their abilities, to build the personal courage to be themselves and to develop the leadership qualities needed to meet the challenges of the teen years. Graduates of the youth leadership program tell us that not only do they have the skills to be a leaders, but they are more comfortable expressing what they think, how they feel and are more confident in themselves, believing that they can accomplish anything, become who they want to be and are not afraid to try new things.

   

• HIV Prevention Programs Help Teen
  STD/HIV intervention and prevention programs tailored to teenagers help reduce the risk of contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and HIV.

   

  This program will include all teens 13 to 18 who are interested in learning all that is needed to know. Those in the HIV intervention program will receive information on ethnic and gender pride, HIV knowledge, communication, condom use skills, and healthy relationships. By providing this program, we hope it prevents the average teen from wanting to be active in all aspects of their lives that can danger them and put them at higher risks for contracting HIV/AIDS or any STD.  Also, with this program, it may influence these teens into using condoms consistently.  Additionally, teens in the HIV Prevention Program are more likely to report using a condom during sexual intercourse, and less likely for pregnancy. In regards to the growing HIV epidemic among adolescents, there is a clear, strong and compelling urgency to develop and put into action prevention of HIV.

   

• Project Mother and Daughter Get Together-(PMDGT)

  A program designed to have mothers and daughters (ages 13-17) sit together and talk about what's going on in the home and school to try to figure out what's in the daughter's life that's bothering them.  Communication, intervention, and teaching proper discipline is the key into trying to solve problems that mother and daughter are having.  It can be a group session with a couple of mothers and daughters (I feel that's best cause you can get a lot of opinions and advice that way) or one on one if the mother and daughter feels uncomfortable. The session should last for about an hour or so depending on the amount of people who turn out.

   

• Sex, Pregnancy Education and Prevention-(SEP)

  A discussion group for teens who feel pressured into having sex too early and they feel they are not ready and need someone with care and understanding and guidance to help them make good choices. Not every girl wants to have sex early but feel pressure from other kids and adults.  The goal is to educate our youth girls and young ladies about making the right choices when debating and deciding whether to engage in sexual activities. When is the right time? The mission of SEP is to inform these young ladies them that their decisions may or may not be right, while expressing the benefits of waiting until adult hood. They might leave the hour session and go have sex or they might not but we can try.   Referral service to birth control facilities as well.

   

• Self Defense

  To assist the teens in personal safety.  These classes are non-violent and should have no negative impact on their lifestyle. They will have the ability to defend their selves, which is an important factor, and common sense prevention actions are a far more reliable way to ensure your safety. They don’t have to pay money, learn a martial art, or buy a gun in order to be safe. All they need to know are the realities of the problems and to use a little common sense. After that, it's easy. The hardest part is doing their homework (acquiring the knowledge of defending oneself) before they find themselves in a situation -- however, if they are currently in a dangerous, or potentially dangerous, situation then obviously the necessary steps will require more effort on their part. 

   

• Job Readiness

  This program provides assessment and instruction for basic academics, computer literacy, and employability. Students practice work ethics, improve their skills and learn of local community resources beneficial to their employment search. They complete job applications, prepare resumes and cover letters, go on field trips, participate in mock interviews, and job search on the Internet. This program will go into extensive Job Readiness training which will focus on achieving academic and technology proficiency, while also focusing on learning job search strategies and applying these strategies for actual employment. Each person who completes coursework and demonstrates job readiness will have a professional looking portfolio and a certificate of job readiness completion.

   

• Health/How to eat to live

  "Healthy" or "Junk" Foods - Girls tend to classify foods as either "healthy" (i.e., good) or "junk" (i.e., bad). "Healthy" foods, of which fresh fruit and vegetables are their most cited examples, are described as low in calories, sugar, fat, cholesterol, salt, additives, preservatives and artificial ingredients, and as sources of vitamins, minerals and proteins. "Junk" foods such as chocolate bars and potato chips are described as having the opposite profile, and are valued because they taste good and are convenient. Poor health is only one of several negative consequences of "junk" food consumption they name. More frequently mentioned are weight gain, acne, bad mood, laziness and cavities.

   

  "Junk" food is associated with snacks, friends, being away from home, independence and having fun. However, conflict is apparent as these foods also have the negative connotations of going off a diet, being out of control, overeating and feeling guilty. "Healthy" food is associated with family, home and meals, being on a diet, being concerned with weight and appearance, self-control and being good. Overall, girls' categorization of foods as "junk" or "healthy" appears to have more to do with social issues and concerns with weight and body image than with health issues.

  We will discuss how they should eat, the nutrition facts of eating and taking care of themselves.

   

• Referral Programs

  For substance abuse, homeless, domestic violence, parenting, career empowerment.  Because we have so little space to offer services, we need to rely on our sistahood for support and strength. When the matter is of an extreme nature we will refer individuals to the appropriate agencies.

   

• Mentor Program

  To follow-up with each walk-in lady, like a big-sista for sistas. So when people come in, they are not offered duplicate services, and everyone can have a chance to bond with one of us, and hopefully pass it on to other sistas out there.

   

• SRO Jazzy Jumpers

  A Double Dutch sport for our teens.  Jump Rope is an exciting and effective workout. It takes a little practice at first, but if the participants are patient, they will discover a fitness tool that takes them to a whole new level of physical ability and confidence. Jump Rope is a great cross-training activity that will help participants in all sports by improving timing, hand/eye/foot coordination, balance, speed, strength, flexibility, focus and endurance.

   

  Double Dutch is a jump rope sport, which involves two rope turners turning two ropes in an eggbeater motion around one or two jumpers. Double Dutch requires an intricate display of skill, agility, and strength; encourages creativity, teamwork and sportsmanship; and develops physical fitness and mental discipline.

   

• SRO Teen Basketballers and Volleyballers

  This is for the teens who are interested in playing or learning volleyball or basketball.  We will get a basketball and volleyball player in to teach them the rules and stats of playing basketball/volleyball.

   

• Proud Teen

  For teenagers on how to be leaders not followers.  Take control.  Plan their lives.

   

• Teen Mothers

  For teen mothers and pregnant teens. How to care for your baby.

   

• Mental Health

  Help mothers who believe there children may have mental problems.  How do they go about getting help for their child.

   

• ADD/ADHD/ODD/Conduct Disorders

  How do I deal with my child's Disorder?  50% of children born have a type of Disorder.  30% of these children will keep their disorder into adult hood.  If there is any type of mental disorder in your family your children have a 25% chance of having ADD, ADHD, ODD and Conduct Disorders.

   

• Poetry Reading and Creation

  An one hour class, learn to express yourself and open up through writing.  Learning to create your own writing and reading style. Gain confidence by reading your own writing with feeling.

   

• Book Club

  Special Book Club for teens.  Getting together with other teens to discuss a monthly book.  Sharing different views and relating to the characters. Going over the meaning and feeling of books.