Youth Enrichment
FRIENDS provides after-school and summer programs helping 6-18 year olds thrive. The school age program promotes physical, emotional, social and intellectual development. The main goal is to help children succeed in school.
Our teachers and tutors work with youngsters on life and social skills development and cultural enrichment.
Special emphasis is placed on the Virginia Department of Education Standards of Learning (SOL) requirements.
The arts and humanities help to teach children and youth to express their feelings creatively, not combatively.
For children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, the opportunity to participate in after-school, art-based and other cultural activities is otherwise nearly non-existent.
Because FRIENDS offers these opportunities, participants learn:
- to better understand themselves
- to constructively manage their emotions
- to increase their knowledge of the world
- to develop self-confidence and pride
Guardians of Gilpin muralists (L to R): Myoshi Goode, Katria Moore, Tanika Moore, Takeisha Moore
“I want people to know…that my neighborhood is a positive place, it’s not all drug dealers and shooting.” Myoshi Goode
10-year-old
Baker Street muralist