Prodigal Son Initiative’s Signature After School Program
In 2009 PSI formed an invaluable partnership with the Park Hill United Methodist Church and was given space within the church to run their signature after-school program. The program mentors and tutors 50-75 at-risk students ages 8-13 Monday through Thursday for two hours. The first hour includes having a healthy snack, completing homework and having a group discussion. The discussions with PSI mentors allow each child to speak freely about peer pressure, family and community issues they are experiencing, and centers education around nutrition, health and opportunities outside their community. PSI has found truancy rates to drop significantly for all youths involved in our program. During the second hour, the children participate in a variety of activities which have been created through key strategic alliances:
MONDAY– Assistant Coach (www.AssistantCoachInc.com) has made a long-term commitment to work with our students to learn basketball fundamentals while incorporating life skills, teambuilding and positive character-building activities so PSI youth feel connected to caring adults.
TUESDAY— Boy Scout (www.DenverBoyScouts.org) leaders meet with PSI after-school program participants as part of a comprehensive youth development organization. All activities incorporate teambuilding in different settings such as tent construction, no-bake cookies, and leather and wood-working.
WEDNESDAY– GUMM Mixed Martial Arts (www.GummBjj.com) teaches kickboxing with PSI youth participants, parents and volunteers. This highly aerobic sport is showing positive results in physical fitness, self-esteem and discipline.
THURSDAY– CSU Extension (www.ext.colostate.edu) is providing cooking classes to develop life skills, teach PSI participants to become self-sufficient, provide nutrition education and teach about kitchen safety, including proper use of utensils and kitchen equipment.
Prodigal Son Initiative Community Excursions
Several times each semester students are taken on field trips to cultural venues such as the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Past field trips have also included hiking in the Rocky Mountains, rafting, snowboarding, and attending sporting events such as a Colorado Rockies and Denver Nuggets games. PSI has also emphasized trips to local businesses, often ones that are minority-owned, so the children can witness what kind of dedication it takes to grow up and become professionally successful in today’s world.
Park Hill Community Center
In 2009 PSI partnered with State Senator Michael Johnston to create the Park Hill Community Center across the street from the infamous Holly Shopping Center. This center ensures a safe and clean environment for youth to do their homework providing free wireless Internet access in an economically depressed community while promoting unity and serving as a site for town hall meetings.
PSI Health Initiatives
Tyrone Lee Beverly of The Prodigal Son Initiative has been implementing the healthy living initiative to the youth that participate in the signature after school program for the past two years. The healthy living initiative also targets teachers, parents, and the larger Colorado community by offering free yoga programs and health related information to people in need. Tyrone applies a strong foundation for beginners and advanced students that wish to obtain more knowledge about (Asanas) freestyle yoga and desire to live a healthier lifestyle. The Health Initiative leads to higher motivation, self confidence and work ethic for all who participate.
Prodigal Son Speaking Engagements
For several years, Terrance Roberts has been invited to speak to elementary, middle and high school students to discuss issues and opportunities relevant to their lives. Speaking at their level of understanding, he acknowledges obstacles that have existed in their communities for decades and how those have contributed to a sense of hopelessness. But, he is a profoundly hopeful individual who gives practical as well as inspirational guidance to youth, detailing options and how a young person can attain positive life goals, even as they continue to live in a neighborhood ravaged by years of neglect.
Speaking engagements are an important part of how we continue to expand our reach into every part of the Colorado community.