The Youth Source .... Empowering Kids!

We're so excited!  We've developed a program that's going to be a unique experience for Rock Hill's youth!  It's taking time to pull it all together, but in 2014, you'll see our new "KidPreneur Program" up and running for 11 to 14 year olds.  

• We'll start by creating a "kid think tank" .... encouraging them to think about different types of businesses and how name them, promote them, staff them and make them grow. 
• We'll be teaching kids the basics of business, business etiquette, dressing the part, talking properly for business
• They'll participate in the actual starting of a small business for kids, run by kids (with adult supervision of course), and benefiting kids. We're not telling about our "secret business" just yet, but it will be something new and different to Rock Hill, and something kids and their families will love!
• As the children reach working age, we'll actually be able to give them part-time jobs to help with school expenses as they go forward.

We're excited about this program because it will not only provide our children with the knowledge of  how a business works, but also give them the opportunity to watch a business being built from the ground up, and hands-on experience in making that business become successful.   We want these children to grow up with the confidence and the skills to one day be able to take a leadership role in a business, whether it's their own or someone else's.

Oh .... and in the process, this business will become a cornerstone of The Youth Source .... it will allow us to create jobs for other teens in the future, and help us to become a self-sustaining organization as the business grows.  Not having to worry about where to find the money to pay our bills? ............ PRICELESS!

After School Program -- Homework Assistance & Tutoring

The Fall 2013 After School Program has started with a bang!  We love having the Winthrop University Education majors coming to work with the kids!  They help them think through questions, understand concepts, and plan ahead, instead of waiting for the last minute to begin their class projects and assignments.   To be ahead of their classmates, instead of being behind? ....... Priceless!

This is a free service available to families with elementary school children ... families who can't afford to pay for other after school programs, and whose work schedules and skills make it difficult for them to help their children.  We're making a difference for these kids, and so happy to do so!   We still have openings .... call to sign your children up today!

Our First Summer Camp ..... Going Well ... Lots of Smiles!

Trip to the York County Museum   

We found, as the school year was coming to an end, that neither the staff, volunteers, or kids were quite ready for the Youth Source's Free After School Program to end.  There was so much more to share ... so much more to learn ... so many tiny steps to our goals for these children yet to take.  So we quickly adapted and organized a Youth Source Summer Day Camp program to take the kids over the summer months.  Unfortunately, we aren't able to offer the camp free of charge, but we did the very best we could to find free or low-cost activities to keep the expenses down and give as many children as possible a chance to participate.

The Day Camp Program is engineered to open little minds to new things .... educational things, physical fitness, fun events, creative opportunities ... the kind of variety and experiences that make children want to learn as they head back to school in the fall.  They're visiting the York County Library and taking advantage of the children's programs being offered there for the summer.  They're doing craft projects. They're having play time and picnic lunches at Confederate Park courtesy of the Summer Free Lunch Program in Rock Hill.  They're visiting  museums and playing tennis .... all things kids love to do!  

If you operate a business or event that offers free or low admission to children, please let us know .... if we don't have a spot to fit you in this summer, we'll certainly keep the information on file for next year's program.

 



Telephone Museum, Rock Hill

       

Tennis Lessons at Rock Hill Tennis Club

Trina Ricks Named Official Executive Director!

Trina Ricks, Executive Director

We know we need to post more .... we really do ...... but this has been a very busy year at The Youth Source.  In the past six months, we've moved, we've brought in new volunteers, we've added some Board members, we started a FREE After School Program to help kids stay focused on their studies and homework, and now we're in the midst of our brand new 2013 Summer Camp Program!  And we accomplished all this (miraculously) without benefit of an official Director.

Well, that's changed too ..... The Youth Source Board voted June 10, 2013 to make Mrs. Trina Ricks the official Executive Director of The Youth Source.  Trina has been acting as both Interim Director and Interim Board Chairperson for better than one year, and has earned the trust and admiration of all who have worked with her in that capacity.   With reorganization of this youth-oriented non-profit just about completed, the Board of Directors recognized that it was time to turn over the reins of the everyday work of the organization to a formal Director to administer the organization's growing list of programs and clients. 

We thank Trina for all she has done to bring people together to work toward making our new direction a reality, and look forward to great things from her in the future.

This leaves the position of Board Chairman vacant, but it will hopefully soon be filled by vote from the Board members.

Help us help our youth .... Come enjoy A Night at The Cotton Club!

Tickets on sale online NOW at http://nightatthecottonclub.eventbrite.com/#

Come See Our New Location!!

2012 -- And We're Off!

After the stress and planning of re-organizing The Youth Source from the former Teen Health Center organization, we have now completed our new business plan, found a new "home" and held our first fund-raiser of the year.  Phew!  It's been quite a first quarter!

We'll soon be announcing our new program descriptions, program directors, and volunteers, and fill up our calendar for the 2nd half of the year. 

We want to thank everyone who came out to "A Night at The Cotton Club" on March 24th ..... the room was FULL, and I think it's fair to say that everyone who went had a wonderful time, providing us with $1100 in income.   Thank you all so much!

The music by Plair was the centerpiece of the event .... our supporters "could have danced all night!"   

Every table had a private "serenade"



From ballroom to beach music to line dancing ... they did it all!

See the slideshow of  

"A Night as The Cotton Club 2012"