Crossroads Youth Initiative

1. To provide an outlet for students to express themselves artistically.

2. To act as a resource for the families we serve.

3. To provide opportunity for youth leadership and peer learning.

4. To provide students with the best training in their artistic field of interest.

5. To provide activities that build on the cultural and ethnic backgrounds of the youth attending the program.

6. To promote parent involvement.

7. To foster positive values in our participants.

8. To increase academic success.

9. To create a positive identity in our participants.

10. To instill a commitment to learning.

11. To foster attitudes and skills that generate mutual respect with all persons with whom Crossroads’ program comes in contact.

12. To be honest, ethical, authentic and trustworthy in our dealings with everyone and to operate with integrity and commitment.

The mission of Crossroads Youth Initiative Program is to give students ages 11-19 an opportunity to learn leadership skills by partaking in apprenticeship initiatives in the arts. We provide urban/at-risk youth with the opportunity to study Entrepreneurship, Theatre, Dance, Vocal Music, Drawing/Painting, and Fashion Design as tools in their individual development. Our program provides for the development of the whole child by engaging them along with their family in various educational and informative activities that focus on the enrichment of their lives.

Crossroads Second Chance Youth Initiative is a year-round after school program conceived with the notion of bridging the gap between arts and education. We define education as a process of mapping experiences and establishing various reliable routes to develop an optimal state of mind regardless of conditions. We utilize arts as the means to examine ones life in order to truly be educated. By bridging the gap between arts and education youth become well-rounded problem solvers who learn to navigate the complex issues and identify opportunities in their communities.

The contemporary urban environment is riddled with issues that have become a part of the psyche of so many. The state of economic development, lack of revitalization and financial literacy are just a few of the topics that our youth are challenged to address through mediums such as: theatrical performances, media production, music, dance and visual arts. We want our youth to explore themselves and the environment in which they encounter to find out the “why” of their existence. Through a thorough analysis of published text as well as original writings we hope to develop students that become critical thinkers, team players and problem solvers. These attributes are much needed in an ever-changing technological society.

Research has proven that students who excel in the arts tend to do well in their academic classes. Crucial developmental skills such as self-esteem, critical thinking, problem solving, analysis and the process of collaboration are enhanced by the rigors of art based training. We take this concept a step further by challenging our students to develop art related solutions centered on manifesting entrepreneurial opportunities.

Our program fosters a learning environment that goes beyond the classroom walls, by allowing young people to be active agents in their learning. Also with the arts being very collaborative, students start to see how they must work with one another and develop productive relationships in order to have a product (performance/showing) that is fulfilling. This can be utilized to any walk that they take in their life.