| CLICK HERE if you would you like to mentor a young person in this program!
"Operation Slam Dunk"
The Urban League of Central Carolinas
Urban Youth Empowerment Program (UYEP)
UYEP is a career preparation program for at-risk Youth Offenders and Youth At Risk. The UYEP only has 60 slots and will be recruiting between July 2007 – August 2007. We are now accepting applications from both high school drop-outs and high school graduates or GED certified. The UYEP lasts up to 9 months and is an open-ended, open-exit program (Youth complete at their own pace).
Customized Individual Career Plans
Ongoing Financial Support (money, transportation, clothing, etc.)
Educational Enhancement: Earn a GED (in partnership with CPCC) or Increase basic skills in both math and reading
Attend Personal Development Classes: Life Skills & Work Preparedness
Assigned a Counselor Advocate
Experience “real work” through Community Service and Paid Internships
Get a mentor
And more…!
If you are between the ages of 18-21, need a second chance in life, a Mecklenburg County resident seeking a challenge, then you are the one for our program (we strongly encourage those who did not complete high school and/or ex-offenders (non-violent convictions) to apply*
Contact the Urban League of Central Carolinas
740 W. 5th Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 – 4:00 p.m.
704 373-2256 Ask to speak to UYEP Staff
*Must meet other eligibility requirements
The Urban League Urban Youth Empowerment Program (UYEP). The UYEP is a national demonstration grant through a partnership between the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and the National Urban League (NUL). This program will help to provide to at-risk Youth Offenders and At-Risk-Youth, ages 18-21 years old, an educational and training bridge to become better prepared for the workforce, support the needs of area employers, and serve as a true community and business collaboration model.
- Full-time Employment
- Full-time Enrollment – Job Training
- Full-time Enrollment – College
- Military Enlistment
- Part-Time Employment and GED Enrollment (outside)
704-373-2256, ext. 218 (Seating is limited)
Counselor Advocates: Michael Peterson, ext. 254 & Zachary Adamson, 704-358-1847
Project Director: Diane M. McClinton, ext. 212
VP of Operations: Gene Buccelli, ext. 214
  
“The UYEP is a great program and it seems to be a wonderful experience for everyone. The students may play around a lot but we get the big picture, and when the instructors think we are not listening, we are.
The UYEP has helped me keep my mind focused on the positive instead of the negative! It has made me think there is a better way, no matte what I have been through or what I have done in the past. It has made me more professional by making me dress up everyday to look presentable. This program has also helped me to cut back on cursing and it shows me how to treat others with respect. The biggest thing this program has done for me is a chance to get my GED, this is a personal goal I have set for myself and I have been working extra hard to get it, and they are working even harder to make sure I get it!
The things I feel that will be successful that UYEP has to offer is positive role models like Mr. Palmer and Miss Bates. They keep us in line and on our P’s and Q’s. They make us pay for being late, by deducting money from our weekly checks. This is a key factor when you have a job. They give us bus passes every week so the students won’t have any reasons or excuses for being late or being a no show! They are trying to get our records expunged and that will also help me in the future. I am personally saying THANKS for the opportunity and chance to start over.
My favorite teacher/instructor is Mr. Worthy. He has helped me a lot whether he knows it or not. Because of the thing he say, I have opened up three bank accounts and I have started on a portfolio, which should be done by the end of the moth. Ms. Louis is all right. She always has an attitude but the class is generally great for me because like I said earlier, getting my GED is something I have to do. My community service job is a great experience for me. It has shown me how to file, create databases, work with kids, and conduct a neighborhood project and be successful at it and most important it has given me experience. So when I go get a full time job I will have experience.
Well, to me the UYEP can do nothing but improve my life and everyone else’s. I would have had to be a fool to pass up this great opportunity. So, I am grateful for the chance to change my life and keep on the right track!Special thanks to Ms. McClinton and all who support the UYEP program.
My success story begins when I was growing up as a little boy. I never really had love and attention from my birth mother or father. I did however; get love and attention from my aunt Diane (Momma) as I call her. In elementary I was a great student, AB honor roll. When I got to middle school things started to change. I wanted to be a part of the popular group and would do anything to get there. It didn’t work for me in middle school, but high school was a whole different picture. I started doing things I said I would never do. I got addicted to cigarettes and stealing. I was smoking weed heavily and I never wanted to listen to anyone. I started flunking out of school, getting kicked out of the house, and when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, and I was arrested for breaking and entering. After I left the jailhouse, I realized I had more to live for than a few dollars. So, I searched for a way to the right path and I came up on a solution: The Urban League, Urban Youth Empowerment Program was my ticket in the right direction. I do community service at the Thomasboro Community of Shalom, and I am getting my GED through the UYEP their Pre-GED program. I have also entered into a talent show for my dancing skills. I have become more family oriented. They teach us life skills and basic skills at the UL. The UL has changed my thinking in life by me listening to the discussions and hearing how it really is to live in America. I must say I feel a lot more confident about my future and what I will be doing in the future. This is the success story of Darrius.” |
