YMCA of the Triangle Area, Inc. 801 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 118, Raleigh, NC 27607 www. YMCATriangle.org

UNLEASHING YOURPOTENTIAL

2015-2016PROGRAM PARTICIPANT HANDBOOK

Lightner Y Achievers Vision Statement: Dedicated to helping Triangle youth develop as leaders through opportunities in education, leadership, philanthropy, community service and civic engagement.

CLUSTER SCHEDULEAll clusters unless otherwise noted are held at the YMCA’s Association Resource Center (ARC) from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Date Cluster ThemeAugust 22 (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) KICK-OFF EVENTSeptember 12 Cluster 1September 26 Cluster 2October 10 Cluster 3October 24 Cluster 4November 14 Cluster 5November 21 Cluster 6 December 4 Cluster 7

December 12 Cluster 8December 19 LYA Christmas Social (9)January 9 Cluster 10January 23 Cluster 11February 5 Cluster 12 NCYAG Conference (February 11-14)

February 26 Cluster 13

March 12 Cluster 14

LYA College Tour (3/27-4/1)

April 9 Cluster 15April 23 Cluster 16

May 7 Cluster 17

May 21 Cluster 18

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CLARENCE E. LIGHTNER YMCA ACHIEVERS

WHAT IS THE LIGHTNER Y ACHIEVERS PROGRAM?

The Lightner Y Achievers Program is a leadership program that has six objectives:

Encourage minority youth to set and achieve high educational and professional goals.

Provide role models whose success and knowledge will inspire youth to reach their goals.

Help youth develop a positive sense of self. Expose students to diverse career options. Recognize and promote excellence. Create channels for continuing community involvement by business and

industry.

How our Achievers Program came to be the Lightner Y Achievers:

In 2010, two of the region's most successful youth leadership programs joined forces to improve the future of teens in the Triangle region. The YMCA of the Triangle’s Y Achievers Program and the Clarence E. Lightner Youth Leadership Foundation merged to become the Clarence E. Lightner YMCA Achievers Program.

Black Achievers, the parent program of the Y Achievers Program, was founded in 1971 at the Harlem YMCA. Its purpose is to help teens develop a positive sense of self, and to set high education and career goals. The Clarence E. Lightner Youth Training initiative started in 2003 to teach middle school students the importance of civic participation and community service. The merger broadens the Y’s program structure while sustaining the legacy and mission of former mayor Clarence E. Lightner and the Lightner Leadership Academy. Currently, the Clarence E. Lightner YMCA Achievers program serves youth grades 6-12 through a structured mentoring and leadership development program.

PROGRAM SCHEDULEThe Lightner Y Achievers program meets for “clusters” at least once a month, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) at the YMCA of the Triangle’s Association Resource Center (ARC), located at 801 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 200; Raleigh, NC 27607. Clusters normally consist of life skills, workshops, career development, community service, and college prep. Teens will be exposed to careers in Technology, Business, Entrepreneurship, Law and Government, Medicine, Engineering, Education, and more. The Lightner Y Achievers cluster calendar may be found at the beginning of this handbook.

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WHO LEADS THE LIGHTNER Y ACHIEVERS?The Clarence E. Lightner Y Achievers program is led by a full time staff member of the YMCA of the Triangle, Kendall Harris. Kendall’s contact information is listed below.

Kendall Harris, Director of Lightner Y Achievers and Community OutreachPhone: 919-719-9664Email: Kendall.harris@ymcatriangle.org

ENROLLMENT & FEES All participants must fill out a teen participant registration form. The form must

be complete, neat and legible. The registration must be signed by the teen and parent/guardian. Please notify the staff of an address, phone number, e-mail or other

information changes. There is a program fee for each participant, $138 for members and $166 for

program participants. Teens who are unable to pay any fees related to the Lightner Y Achievers

Program should immediately contact an Achievers Director. Financial assistance is available.

Participants will register and pay at their home Y branch, see below.

YOUR SCHOOL’S Y BRANCH (Home Branch) Each High School and Middle School will be associated with a designated Y Branch. This association will only be used for participant recruitment and registration purposes. Please review the list below for your home branch or speak with any Lightner Y Achievers Director if your school’s name has not been included.

A.E. Finley YMCA: Millbrook, Leesville Middle and High school, Sanderson, West Millbrook

Alexander Family YMCA: Broughton, Enloe, Southeast Raleigh, Carnage, Centennial Campus, Athens Drive, all Garner area middle and high schools, Exploris, Martin Middle School, St. Mary’s, Daniels Middle School and all Southern Raleigh area middle and high schools

Banks D. Kerr Family YMCA: Wakefield, Wake Forest/Rolesville Middle and High School, Heritage Middle School, Durant Middle School, Magellan, all Knightdale area middle and high schools, all Franklin County middle and high schools

Cary Family YMCA: Cary High, Green Hope, Panther Creek, all Cary area middle and high schools

Durham YMCAs: All Durham County middle and high schools Kraft Family YMCA: All Apex area middle and high schools

Branch Contact Names and Numbers:

Any information concerning your local YMCA branch, please

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contact: Kendall Harris at Kendall.harris@ymcatriangle.org; (919) 719-9664

PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONSAs a prospective member of the Lightner Y Achievers program, we ask that you carefully read the expectations set forth below in the following covenant. It is through these high standards of conduct that we are able to pursue our mission, fulfill our vision and build on our promise.

I will practice the five core values: CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, AND FAITH IN GOD!

I will demonstrate an enthusiastic and positive attitude and participate in activities.

I will attend meetings regularly, including clusters and special events, and I will be on time!

I will be committed to the program and serious about my success as a young adult.

I will strive to maintain high academic standards for myself. I will turn in all quarterly report cards, progress/interim reports, and other relative academic information on time.

I will follow the dress code:o Ladies: No sweats/jogging pants, overly baggy clothing, excessively

tight clothing, halter tops or tops that expose the midriff. Skirts/dresses must be at least knee length.

o Gentlemen: No sweats/jogging pants, overly baggy clothing, do rags, earrings or hats. Pants should be worn at waist level.

I will demonstrate excellent behavior and be an example for others. I will not use foul language or show disrespect to others or myself.

I will work hard to get to know others in the program. I will step outside of my comfort zone to learn and experience new things, develop my relationships and promote good will.

I will participate in fundraising events that are vital to the success of the Lightner Y Achievers program to the best of my ability.

I will do at least 35 hours of community service. I will record my hours with integrity. I will volunteer as well as work to earn points for special awards.

I will call or e-mail directors if I will be absent from the program. I will learn, respect, and recite the Lightner Y Achievers Youth Pledge.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMThe Clarence E. Lightner Y Achievers Program provides an opportunity for high school seniors, program participants, to apply for scholarship monies. The Clarence E. Lightner Y Achievers program solicits funds to be used as scholarships. The amount of award monies available depends on the number of seniors eligible and the amount of money donated by businesses, churches, civic organizations, and individuals who give to the scholarship fund. Please keep in mind that the scholarship process is competitive. All applicants may not receive an award. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

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Eligibility Graduating senior in high school. Registered participant in the Clarence E. Lightner Y Achievers Program for fall

2015 - spring 2016. Attend a minimum of 12 clusters during the September 2015- April 2016

program year. Strong preference is given to applicants with several years of participation in

the Clarence E. Lightener Y Achievers program. 3.0 minimum GPA. Completed the SAT or ACT and acceptance into a facility of higher education. Performed and documented at least 60 hours of community service from

September 2015 - April 2016.

Application Process and Forms to be submitted1. Senior Information Form.2. Official High School transcripts with grades and GPA.3. SAT or ACT test score.4. Community Service Log.5. Acceptance letter from a facility of higher learning.6. A 500-word essay (typed and double spaced) answering one of the following

questions:a. What are your reasons for wishing to continue your education?b. What are your personal strengths and areas for growth, and how might

they affect your future? What are you doing to overcome your shortfalls?c. What role has the Lightner Y Achievers program played in your education

and career choices?d. What values do you hold and why are they important to you?

7. Parents must complete, sign and date the “Parent Acknowledgment Statement,” indicating the parent or guardian has read all parts of the application and the student’s essay and approves of sending it to the scholarship committee.

8. All application items must be submitted on or before Friday, April 22, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. – NO EXCEPTIONS. You may mail or turn in your application to:

Clarence E. Lightner Y Achievers Scholarship Program Attn: Kendall Harris801 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 200Raleigh, NC 27607

9. Applicants will be notified of scholarship status May 2-6. 10.Scholarships and awards will be presented during the Annual Clarence E.

Lightner Y Achievers End of the Year Celebration.

Expectations of Parents Parents are expected to attend a parent group meeting.

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Parents must also read and sign his/her student’s essay before the essay is submitted to the scholarship committee.

Read and complete the “Parent Acknowledgment Statement”.

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COLLEGE TOUREach year the Lightner Y Achievers Program takes a college tour during the Wake County Public School System’s Spring Break. The goal of the college tour is to expose teens to various options for higher education by providing them with a hands-on experience. College tour details are as follows:

Tour locations: TBA Date: March 27-April 1, 2016 Target Grades: 9-11 (12th graders are eligible) Cost of tour: $635 includes transportation, lodging and some meals; Non-

refundable deposit of $317.50 due by February 5, 2016, with a second payment of $317.50 due by March 23, 2016.

Maximum number of Teen Achievers: 40 A local college tour has been set aside for 8th graders. It will take place on

September 19 2015. More details to follow. We are looking at the following colleges: St. Aug, UNC, NCSU, and Shaw.

MARTIN LUTHER KING HERITAGE TOURStudents, parents and volunteers of the Clarence E. Lightner Y Achievers program will have the opportunity to participate in a life changing journey retracing the steps of Dr. Martin Luther King and other heroes of the historic Civil Rights Movement. The MLK Heritage Tour can be described as a “learning lab on wheels” where participants travel via bus to those areas of the country that were the setting for many history-making achievements by African Americans and courageous Whites. This eye opening journey takes participants to Atlanta, Georgia; Selma, Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama. The final destination of the tour is Memphis, Tennessee at the historic Lorraine Motel and Civil Rights Museum.

Date: March 28-April 1, 2016 Target Grades: 7-12 Cost of tour: $375 includes transportation, lodging, entrance to historic sites

and 3 nights hotel stay.

YMCA NC YOUTH & GOVERNMENTYouth & Government is a national YMCA Program for high school students. This program enables young people to prepare for moral and political leadership through training in the theory and practice of developing public policy. The annual conference is held in downtown Raleigh with a total of1100 teens participating from across North Carolina. Teens draft and debate bills, lobby for bills, and run for state office. This year’s conference will be held February 11-14, 2016. The conference fee is $480. The club fees are the following for members: $59 and program participants: $71.

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PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Parents are encouraged to support the teens by giving their commitment and time to the program. Parent involvement is supported and coordinated by the Lightner Y Achievers director and other local Y branch staff.

Parents are a vital part of the Lightner Y Achievers program. We will seek parent volunteers to assist with program planning, special events, the End of the Year Celebration, etc.

Parents will also be given the opportunity to participate in various workshops ranging in topics from homeownership to financing your child’s college education.

YOUTH PLEDGE & VISION STATEMENTYouth PledgeI am a 5-Star Ambassador.I represent MYSELF,MY FAMILY,MY COMMUNITY,MY SCHOOLand MY RACE withPRIDE, DIGNITY and

EXCELLENCE.I am a LIGHTNER Y ACHIEVER!

Lightner Y Achievers Vision StatementDedicated to helping Triangle Youth develop as leaders through opportunities in education, leadership, philanthropy, community service and civic engagement.

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