New Heights Community Resource Center

Employability of youth is the key to contributing citizens and thriving communities. “Employability results from several factors- a foundation of core skills, access to education, availability of training opportunities, motivation, ability and support to take advantage of opportunities for continuous learning, and recognition of acquired skills- and is critical for enabling workers to attain decent work and manage change and for enabling enterprises to adopt new technologies and enter new markets" (Enhancing Youth Employability, 2013).

“In order to secure a job, retain employment and advance in the labor market, individuals need to be able to continue to learn and adapt; read, write, and compute competitively; listen and communicate effectively; think creatively; solve problems independently; manage themselves at work; interact with coworkers; work in teams or groups; handle basic technology; and lead effectively as well as follow supervision."

By implementing a program that will ensure the employability of youth, we simultaneously increase their self-awareness, self-pride and respect, and their opportunity to “win." This comprehensive approach advances academic achievement, fosters pro-social skills, and encourages problem solving and concepts of self-help. These critical components will lead to youth who are better educated, have more positive attitudes and increased confidence, demonstrate personal ethics, initiative, and perseverance, and have respect for themselves and others. As a result, youth are less likely to engage in delinquent behavior and criminal activity.

Project Youth Y.E.S. bridges youth, community leaders, and social organization to deliver a comprehensive approach to meeting the cognitive and emotional needs of youth. Youth are encouraged to become actively involved in the planning, development, and implementation of the program which gives them a sense of ownership and investment. Project YES provides year-round programming, is outcomes-driven, places a priority on academic achievement and emotional intelligence, and incorporates case management to ensure the program is individualized.

Youth meet twice per week afterschool for scheduled programming and one weekend per month for an outing. During this time, youth and staff collaborate to discuss subject material for enrichment workshops, and social action projects. During the summer, they meet daily in the form of summer programming. Because we believe that youth are valued, change agents with the power and knowledge to make responsible decisions, they are used as vital partners in the planning, implementation, and evaluation process.

The program components include service-learning, entrepreneurial education, leadership development, violence prevention, life skills, technology education, creative and performing arts, and academic support.

Executive Director, Connie Bobo, has over twenty years of experience in child and youth services. With a very diverse background including non-profit management, education, social work, and program development, she has assisted with the start-up, expansion, and enhancement of multiple programs and wrote curriculum for each. She attended Florissant Valley Community College majoring in Early Childhood Education and furthered her education at Columbia College majoring in Human Services. She completed her Bachelor's Degree in Corporate Communications at Lindenwood University and is enrolled in Lindenwood's Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration. She is certified as a Missouri Accreditation Review Team Leader and Technical Assistant for quality assurance in preschool and afterschool programs as well as a certified substitute teacher, tutor, center director, and trainer in the state of Missouri. She has participated in the St. Louis for Kids Quality Initiative, Children's Defense Fund National Freedom Schools Training, Parents as Teachers National Training Institute, and STARS and CASA training for supporting emotionally disturbed adolescents.
Ms Bobo has extensive experience serving high-risk youth, particularly middle school youth- an underserved population. For three years, she served as an Adolescent Specialist for St Vincent Home and School working directly with girls and boys ages 10-18 in a residential treatment facility. During this time, she co-facilitated group sessions, group therapy, and coordinated and implemented activities for these youth. She also served as a court appointed special advocate for a family of four between fourth and eighth grade, and a visiting resource for a male juvenile with sexual behaviors in the state's custody. Since the founding of R Spencer Schools, Ms Bobo and program volunteers have provided an at-risk afterschool program and summer enrichment program for adolescents. The afterschool program offers life skill development, college and career development, recreation, academic support, violence prevention, and health and wellness.
Compliance and Accountability
The Program Manager is responsible for completing a monthly report that tracks outcomes, numbers served, expenditures, trainings, and member hours to ensure contract compliance and program integrity. We also have Quarterly Integrity Meetings to review the program, policies, and funding.

With only a short six-year history, New Heights CRC has established itself as an innovator and champion for youth development. In 2013, the school-aged programs were registered as a fictitious name with a separate tax identification number under New Heights CRC to distinguish it from the early childhood programs. Since its inception, it has not only served youth registered for its specific programs, but it has provided professional development seminars for youth practitioners and assisted with program design and implementation for other nonprofit youth serving organizations. Its achievements include:
• Co-hosting a Back to School: No Bullying Concert which served 85 children (127 people total)
• Hosted a Feed the Children event where 712 boxes of food, household items, and self-care products were donated to needed families
• Awarded financial support from St Louis Philanthropic Organization, Peabody Energy Corp, and established partnerships with STAR Touring, Feed the Children, and Children's Defense Fund
• Hosting an annual summer food service program for 427 at-risk youth to receive healthy meals during out-of-school time
• Hosting a community book fair where disadvantaged children and youth received a combined total of 512 free books to start a home library
• Receiving an honorary award from Dream BIG Foundation for developing and facilitating a self-awareness curriculum for a group of high-risk youth ages 14-18 living in a residential treatment facility for homeless and runaway youth