StreetLeader Program

Our StreetLeader Program is a natural outgrowth of the Afterschool Programs. Each year, approximately 80 Camden-area teens are hired as counselors, teachers, coaches, and role models for children in our AfterSchool Programs and Summer Camps. Many of the StreetLeaders are graduates of our AfterSchools Programs and are passionate about having this opportunity to help raise up the next generation and to give back to their community. In fact, the heart of the StreetLeader Program is challenging our teenagers to use their influence to make positive changes in their lives and in the community of Camden through job training, education, and Christian development.

For most of our youth, working as a StreetLeader is their first job and they receive extensive training and on-the-job mentoring to help them succeed. Once in the Program, teens continue to have opportunities to take on additional responsibilities and develop their leadership skills as peer leaders. This kind of positive, part-time job has proven to be a lifesaver for many of our youth.

Other components of the StreetLeaders Program have also proven to be a lifeline to Camden-area teenagers by assisting them in choosing to avoid negative activities, to avoid early parenthood, and to stay in school. These include mentoring; community service opportunities; life skills classes; weekly tutoring sessions; SAT prep courses; classes in reading, writing, and math; a youth group which focuses on Christian and social development; and the Performing Arts.

The money to pay the StreetLeaders and provide quality programming is made possible by generous donors like you and some community grants. Continue to support this awesome work with your donations and help us to continue to build a city of Promise one child at a time.

STREETLEADER NEWS:

StreetLeaders Visit Elderly
On Saturday, January 22, 2011 the StreetLeader Board of Directors participated in a community service project. A group of fourteen StreetLeaders & staff went to visit the residents at Genesis Elder Care.

StreetLeader Director Jacob Rodriguez says, "It was a great experience for our kids. The StreetLeaders walked from room to room, played games, and sat down and chatted with the residents. For most residents we were the only visitors they had in months and for others we were the only visitors they had since they entered Genesis Elder Care! It was a day filled with lots of joy, but also lots of tears. What our kids experienced was truly an eye opener. That day I saw God work in the lives of our young people. It’s such a blessing to be a part of the work God is doing in the lives of our youth."