YouthVille Detroit (YVD) Youth Development Center is an excellent place for young people to expand upon their learning experiences beyond the regular school day. YVD offers young people ages 11-19 the opportunity to participate in structured high-performance learning classes and activities designed to engage them in innovative ways that nurture and develop their potential, expose them to new possibilities and inspire them to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. All program areas embed academics and incorporate project-based learning instruction that provide real world experience.  

The program areas are:

• Educational Enrichment and Career Development
• Leadership Development and Community Service
• Digital Media Arts and Technology
• Cultural Arts
• Prevention and Healthy Life Skills

21st Century Community Learning Centers – What is (21st CCLC)

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers is a federally funded, afterschool academic enrichment program design to provide students with solid academic enrichment opportunities as well as additional youth development classes that would complement their regular school studies. The program services middle schools students 6th-8th grades who attend George Washington Carver and North Point Academies of Highland Park, MI. Schools eligible to participate must be a middle school. Interested schools should contact the Director of Programs for more details.

Classes include:

Educational Enrichment and Career Development

College Corner & Career Planning (CCCP)
The College Corner & Career Planning program is designed to help young people gain a better understanding of the college and career preparation process. The goal is to ensure that both student and parent are taking the necessary steps to get their child enrolled in college, access scholarships and secure financial aid. Collegiate information, resources, tutoring, ACT preparation and the support of the Local College Access Network are included in the support services offered.

Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (S.T.E.M.)
Introduces students to various aspects of S.T.E.M. while teaching them the fundamentals and advance levels of aquatic and mechanical robotics, architectural design, solar energy, roller coaster physics, and wind turbine power. Youth members learn to design, build, program and code robots. Students also have an opportunity to compete at the local, national and world championship levels as YVD team.

Tutoring & Homework Assistance
Youth receive individual tutoring and homework assistance from instructors who specialize in core academic subject areas. Youth will also have access to an interactive computer-based learning program to further enrich their educational skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies.


Leadership Development

For Young Men Only/LadyLike
Life skills leadership development programs that focus on promoting physical, emotional and social well-being to support and guide the maturation process. Youth engage in community change and service learning campaigns that raise awareness about serious issues that impact their lives. Activities include hosting events, creating public service announcements and multimedia awareness projects.

Mentoring Through Media
Mentoring through Media is a uniquely designed male leadership program created to engage young men through various media platforms to help them to raise awareness about important issues and concerns. Participants are mentored by media technology professionals who provide digital media arts & technology training, leadership and life skill development, male responsibility education and service learning. Young men are also encouraged to pursue post-secondary education and receive one-on0one assistance in college enrollment.

Peace Project
Leadership group that engages youth in anti-violence initiatives, community service projects, media projects and events that promote peace and community building with the goal to revitalize communities and make a positive impact.

Service Learning 
Service learning is incorporated in all of our youth leadership programs. It is important that youth learn the value of making a difference by giving back and “pay it forward” while addressing the needs of the community. Youth also take part in Global Youth Service Day, a day of service celebrated throughout the world.


Digital Media Arts and Technology (DMAT)

Youth Neighborhood News-YNN-Broadcast and Print Journalism
Members learn to write and produce stories that are aired on local TV, radio and YouTube. YNN teaches students youth how to shoot, report and create positive news stories about Detroit that will be aired on local TV, cable, internet and social media networks. (Audition Only) 

Computer Technology (graphics, animation, cartooning, and website design)
Working independently and in small groups, youth develop skills in graphic art design, cartoon illustration, and web sites design. Students develop their own digital portfolio, media projects, comic book series and short animated film for play on DVD and CD-ROM formats.

Digital Photography
Participants learn to use of full frame 35mm Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras (DSLR) while being taught the basic and advanced elements of photography. Participants learn to develop professional skills as they learn the various photography platforms. Students also learn to use Adobe® Photoshop® Elements software for Windows® and Mac to edit, enhance, organize, and share photographic images for their digital portfolio. 

Entertainment Production(Video and TV)
Members work in a state-of-the-art production studio learning about writing, producing, interviewing, on-camera talent development, directing, lighting, studio and field camera use, video editing, audio production and more using the same equipment as industry professionals.

Digital Music Technology
Aspiring student producers will learn how to create music using the latest professional industry software programs such as ProTools, Reaktor, Reasons and Abelton Live to produce their own beats and lyrics. Students also create a digital music portfolio for music production auditions.

Radio Production
Youth learn how to work as an on air personality, radio announcer, news casters, write, produce commercials and audio production packages as they “air” their own shows on YouthVille Detroit’s Web Radio Station and other social media outlets.


Cultural Arts

Ceramics
Students learn in a fully equipped ceramics lab that includes pottery wheels and kilns, slab rollers, in a hands-on learning environment that cultivate artistic expression and creativity.

Fashion Design and Runway Modeling
Aspiring fashion designers and models learn to design, create and manufacture their own fashion line while developing runway modeling skills for participation in local Detroit fashion shows. Instruction includes learning the latest trends in the fashion industry, fashion career options, entrepreneurship, and retail marketing.

Mosaic Acting
Young artists are introduced to Mosaic Youth Theatre's brand of high-energy, high-quality, and inspiring acting training.  It is an “intensive education and training” design to develop a youth’s true real potential.

Spoken Word Performance
An in house collective of aspiring poets, storytellers, and song writers who received guidance and instruction in creative writing and performance.  Poets perform throughout Detroit at various venues and host a monthly poetry event at YouthVille called the “Poetry PitStop”.


Prevention and Healthy Life Skills-Student Athletes

Archery
Instruction on shooting techniques, safety, points of archery, and information about the history of archery and how to compete in tournament play. Youth have the opportunity to compete on a Junior Olympic Archery Team and for other local archery competitions.

Basketball
Youth are coached in basic basketball skills and technique in shooting, passing, defense, and free throws as well as speed drills, footwork drills to enhance their fundamental skills and prepare them as student athletes.

Volleyball
Youth are coached in basic fundamentals of volleyball through skill development drills and instruction in passing, setting, hitting, digging, blocking, and serving. YVD Teams compete with other local volleyball teams through Think Detroit Pal. Practice begins Mid-November. The season begins in January of each New Year.

2012 Summer Class Schedule – PDF