ProgramsCrittenton’s positive, youth development programs support teen girls by providing them with the life skills to adopt healthy behaviors, set and achieve SMART goals, and expand knowledge about comprehensive sexual health and post secondary education and career options.
SNEAKERS (Self-efficacy, Nurturance, Expectations, Assertiveness, Knowledge, Empowerment, Responsibility, and Success) is a voluntary, 26-week program for girls navigating the challenges and choices of the 9th to 12th grades. The SNEAKERS curriculum provides information on reproductive health and sexuality, healthy relationships, nutrition and fitness, post-secondary education, and careers. SNEAKERS also creates opportunities for girls to set life, education, and career goals.
PEARLS (Parenting, Education, and Responsive Life Skills) is a voluntary, 26-week program that enables pregnant and parenting teens to develop positive life and parenting skills. PEARLS seeks to prevent future pregnancies by increasing participants’ knowledge of reproductive health, sexuality, healthy relationships, post-secondary education, and career options; by helping them acquire the skills needed to use that knowledge; and by providing constant support and encouragement.
Both the SNEAKERS and PEARLS programs utilize Crittenton’s unique journal for the modern teen girl: Today, Tomorrow, Forever: My Life Planner, a 77-page journal, scrapbook, and goal setting guide designed for teen girls. The in-school component for SNEAKERS and PEARLS programs is 45 minutes per week for 26 weeks. Groups are kept small to maximize interaction between participants and program leaders, and among participants themselves.
The SNEAKERS and PEARLS programs are supplemented with five out-of-school activities including: (1) Academic Enrichment (attending college fairs, visiting college campuses, and visiting places of work), (2) Cultural Enrichment (attending Crittenton’s annual High Tea event, visiting art museums and attending artistic performances), (3) Social Enrichment (participating in healthy recreation, viewing movies of social relevance, and attending activities at the White House), (4) Health and Wellness (visiting a teen friendly health clinic, learning how to access sexual reproductive services, and attending workshops on maintaining healthy bodies and minds), and (5) Community Service (developing and implementing projects to address community needs as determined by participants).
These out-of-school activities focus on setting school, work, and life goals and also provide real life exposure and skill building in these different areas.
Our programs uses a unique combination of positive youth development approaches to foster healthy adolescent development. Like all youth programs, SNEAKERS and PEARLS are information-giving, but in addition, we also use the following strategies:
4Cing the Future (Crittenton College and Career Connection ) is a 12-week college access and career exploration program for 8th grade girls, who are often the first in their families to consider attending college. The program’s goal is to motivate, prepare, and equip underrepresented teen girls with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully move on to high school and set meaningful education, career, and life goals.
Crittenton Leadership Academy is a series of out-of-school workshops that build knowledge and skills in leadership, advocacy, communication and professional image. Participants are from the SNEAKERS and PEARLS program.
Goal-Setting Girls is a program to equip young women with the knowledge and skills needed to set life, education, and career goals. Through the program’s primary tool--Today, Tomorrow, Forever: My Life Planner, a journal for participants--and a rigorous, 12-week curriculum, teens learn how to set goals; are able to assess the impact risky and unhealthy behaviors might have on the attainment of their goals; and develop the capacity to control and direct their thoughts, feelings, and actions toward the attainment of their goals. These important life skills, along with healthy habits, are critical to college and workplace readiness.
The Crittenton Youth Advisory Board, Our Voices Affect Our Choices, includes active SNEAKERS and PEARLS participants and alumnae. The members provide ongoing feedback to Crittenton program staff and the Board of Directors on ways to improve Crittenton programming and services. Other activities include the development of public awareness campaigns or events highlighting issues affecting all teen women. Members will also advocate before policy makers in local and national government on behalf of teen girls who are facing difficult issues.
Crittenton Alumnae Network, made up of SNEAKERS and PEARLS alumnae, are young professionals who serve as advocates and volunteers for the organization through the donation of their time and talents. This network is an integral part of our commitment to continually enhance our programs and services.
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