18 South Youth Ministries

SERVING AT-RISK TEENS SINCE 2005

18 South Youth Center is a non-profit,for-impact organization dedicated to serving at-risk teens in the community byproviding targeted programming to promote healthy personal, emotional, social,and educational growth in a safe environment designed for their unique needs. Ope

n six days a week, 18 South Youth Centeroffers a safe space for students to connect under the supervision of caringadults who desire to see them succeed. The space itself serves as a provendeterrent from reckless or potentially dangerous behaviors by keeping youngpeople engaged in healthy activities instead of aimlessly wandering the community. The center providesaccess to educational opportunities, STEAM activities, gaming systems, artsupplies and instruction, music instruments and instruction, tabletop & role-playinggames, afterschool and cyber school homework assistance, free open Wi-Fi, andaccess to resources and opportunities uniquely provided by the center, all atno cost to our students.Addition

ally, the center collaborates withcommunity organizations and individuals to bring programs and opportunities tostudents for growth and enrichment. Collaborative partners have included YorkYWCA, York Adams Drug and Alcohol Coalition, Suicide Prevention of York, YorkOpioid Collaborative, Friends and Neighbors of Pennsylvania, CareerLink, amongmany others. Programs aim to address issues and topics that are specific to theneeds of young people. These have included drug and alcohol prevention and intervention,career and college readiness, human trafficking, financial education,leadership, life skills, and much more. 18 South Youth C

enter is also the firstcommunity youth center in the world to offer Hope Squad, our peer-to-peersuicide prevention program. Through this program we teach teenagers QPR, anevidence-based suicide prevention method, encourage mental wellness andmindfulness, advocate for people struggling with mental health issues to getthe help needed, promote healthy community, and to be a proponent ofanti-bullying online and in the community. As a direct result of this program, 72students, who were seriously considering suicide and self-harm, were referredto receive help from professionals. As the mental health crisis hasdramatically increased over recent years, we emphasize mental wellness,self-care, and healthy habits in students. An astonishing percentage ofstudents struggle with thoughts of suicide and self-harm, in response, a focusof 18 South is promoting the health of the whole student to strengthen them,encourage them, and empower them to help them succeed. In response to growing food i

nsecurities andincreased poverty rates, each day we are open, the center also serves meals tostudents. For some students, 18 South provides one of, or in some cases theironly, meals for the day. For the past three years, we have served over 10,000meals each year. Over 48% of students in the school district live below thepoverty limit and are lacking some basic needs. 18 South has established abasic needs pantry that is accessible to any student in need. These resourcesare made available to students at no cost and include access to food, clothing,hygiene products, shoes, school supplies, emergency shower and laundry, andmore. As one of our staff is a licensed cosmetologist, 18 South also has anin-house hair and makeup salon for students. Free haircuts, stylings, and colorare available to our students regularly.During the summer months, we offer a pro

gram, WhereWe Going Wednesdays, designed to inspire hope through experiences thatlow-income students may feel are typically out of reach. Past destinations haveincluded New York City/Broadway, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Museums and ScienceCenters, Sporting Events, Theater Shows, Beaches, and so much more. Many of thestudents we serve have never left the county they grew up in. We have seen thisprogram transform the way young people see the world and open their minds topossibilities about the future. The work at 18South not only improves the quali

ty of life for our students and theirfamilies, but it also improves the quality of life for our community and ourfuture as a whole. We believe that every teen has great potential that onlyneeds to be unlocked. Whether we are serving homeless teens, those addicted todrugs, or teens who simply need someone to believe in them, we strive to showcompassion to all regardless of their backgrounds. We are advocates forcommunity and strive to be a part of creating a vibrant and thriving community.A prominent local leader has recently written, “18 South Youth Center hasquickly become one of Red Lion’s most vital community resources” and we aregrateful for the opportunities to continue to invest in young people. The impact made from your generosity truly has unlimited

potential tochange the lives of at-risk teens in our community. Thank you for yourconsideration.Visit our website at 18South.org to learn moreMemorial Heal

th Fund Stretch Po…