Looking Back At 2013! Our Year In Review

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hat a TERRIFIC year it has been at Urban Youth!!! Looking back at 2013 we are thankful and feeling blessed at what we have been able to accomplish. We have added new programs, started new partnerships and relationships to help move this much needed program forward. This would not be possible without the help of so many people, organizations and corporations that have truly believed in our mission, we cannot thank you all enough .  To our parents thank you for being daring and bold enough to allow us expose and push your children to new heights, your support has been monumental.

As we prepare for 2014 we thought we would put together a year in review of some of this years high lights! Some will link you back to the story.

ENJOY!

National Mentoring Conference, Washington DC 1-24-13

• Workshop – What It Takes E-Mentoring Works: Discussing an innovative e-Mentoring Program. Our session addressed the mentoring professional nationwide on what it takes to operate a quality e-mentoring program around the specific needs for African American males.

What It Takes E-Mentoring Program – Year 2

• This ground breaking and Nationally Acclaimed program had over 200 boys ages 14-18 in Philadelphia schools enrolled in the  “what it takes e-mentroing’’ teaching them to be successful in work and life via relationships with caring, ethical, well-regarded men. Mentors with backgrounds in business, finance, technology, medicine, law, and athletics provide the boys with ongoing emotional and academic support (in person and online), with special attention paid to science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers. This program was made possible by a grant from the Knight Foundation and was done in partnership with United Way.

Urban Youth Presents “WHAT IT TAKES 9 ”A CONVERSATION WITH HISTORY 2-13-13

• In honor of the Black History Month a distinguished panel will convene to speak to these men and give insight on the history of the civil rights movement and how it helped shape their minds along their journey. The panelist included Anthony Martin, Founder Urban Youth Racing School; Carvin Haggins, Grammy Winning Producer; James Farmer, Founder Farmer Consulting, VP General Motors (retired); Lloyd Ayers, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner; Richard Ross, 1^st Deputy Police Commissioner; Dr. Aubrey Watkins

UYRS Embraces New BRAND “URBAN YOUTH” 3-21-13

• Working with Agency M UYRS begin a new chapter as Urban Youth.

Urban Youth Partners with Steve Harvey MENtoring Campaign 4-13-13

• Kicks off campaign to get black men to become mentors.

Urban Youth Partners with Philly Tech Week 4-23-13

• Getting Under Served and Minority Youth Access to STEM. Getting Underserved and Minority Youth Access to STEM Pipeline
An hour long panel discussion focused on access to STEM resources for underserved youth in the region, and how mentorship and extracurricular programs can help bridge the divide.

15th Annual Awards Ceremony & New Brand Kick Off 4-24-13 

• That took place on April 23rd at the National Constitution Center was sponsored by Team Chevy & General Motors. Keynote address was given by Retired Admiral Vice Admiral McCoy. Over 300 students, parents, corporate and community leaders were in attendance to celebrate the accomplishments of our youth. Over the last 15 years, the success of the UYRS Build A Dream Program, preparing inner city students for career opportunities in professional motor sports, has gained worldwide media attention. The UYRS innovative experiential learning approach to STEM education has been featured by CBS Good Morning America, CNN, USA Today, Associated Press, ESPN, NASCAR.com, Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer and literally thousands of other media outlets.

NAVSEA Bring A Child To Work Day, Washington DC 4-25-13

• 40 Naval Engine students got the opportunity to explore the many job choices NAVSEA has to offer.  There was a full day of activities including NAVSEA Directorate Open Houses; Navy Museum Hands-on Exhibit, Fire Department and DS Barry tours.  Our very own Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program will be conducting a hands-on exhibits.

World Wide STEM Day at Urban Youth 5-29-13:

• We hosted a 2nd grade class from a local elementary school for our program called World Wide STEM Day.  We introduced 22 students from Ad Prima Charter School to a wide range of science projects. Projects will include building bristlebots and a water filtration system. The students will also be given a lesson in Aviation.

Women in STEM, Washington DC 6-6-13:

• We participated in the Women In STEM Conference Hosted by Dr. Jill Biden on June 6th in Washington DC.

Build A Dream Program.

• 6/1/ 2013 8-week program for urban students ages 8-18. The goal: to teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics via the magic of motorsports and prepare students for a fast-paced career in the competitive world of professional racing.

The NAVAL Engine Design Program

• 6/29/13 – a comprehensive 22-week STEM program for urban students in grades 9-12. The goal: to encourage students to explore careers within science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The course, given by tech experts, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and other college mentors, university faculty and U.S. Navy engineers, introduces students to naval ship design, engine design and configuration, ship maintenance procedures and more. This program was made possible by a grant from the Office Of Naval Research.

Delta Sigma Theta STEM Day, Morgan State, Baltimore MD 7-5-13

• Urban Youth does a workshop on STEM careers available in motorsports.

Remote Piloted Vehicles Program.

• 7/18/13 Reggie Showers was the instructor of this fascinating 8-week program for students. The goal: to teach physics, mathematics, aerodynamics and technology via the handling of remote control aircraft. Students absorb the fundamentals of remote control electronics, avionics and aircraft maintenance. The program is a remarkable opportunity for young people to experience the wave of the future, as remote piloted vehicles are used in experiments, modeling, weather readings, military exercises, space exploration and more.

Knight Foundation Grantee Gathering 7-31-13

• Urban Youth Speak on a panel to help other grantees understand the difference between corporate sponsorships and grants. 

Universal Movie Studios Rents out an Entire Movie Theater for Urban Youth Families VIP Experience To See “Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2” 9-17-13

Urban Youth Naval Engine students do an Overnight Leadership Workshop at Lincoln University 9-27-13 

Urban Youth Remote Piloted Vehicles students Participate in Tuskegee Airmen Young Eagles Program 10-5-13

• This program offers participating children and teens the opportunity to receive an introduction to aviation which includes a ground orientation to the principles of flight, and an overview of the aircraft’s avionics systems and controls. These Young Eagles also have the unique opportunity to see airplanes up close, get hands-on flight simulator practice, talk with pilots as well as some of the original members of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, and take a spectacular sightseeing airplane ride, absolutely free.

 Journalist Soledad O’Brien joins Urban Youth for a panel discussion on the much anticipated E-Mentoring Lessons Learned Guide. 10-17-13

• This guide affords program developers and implementation-level staff an opportunity to be mindful of key considerations in integrating technology-influenced mentoring initiatives into an existing mentoring program or other program serving at-risk youth, particularly for African American males.  Soledad also screened her Black In America 6 at School of The Future

Urban Youth Presented “WHAT IT TAKES 11” A CONVERSATION WITH THE MEN OF THE JORDAN BRAND: 12-3-13

• On Tuesday December 3rd the nationally acclaimed What It Takes (WIT) series convened at the African American Museum in Philadelphia for its 11th symposium moderated by Dr. Chuck Williams of Drexel University. This very special WIT 11 gave over one hundred local students an opportunity to meet and interact with special guests Larry Miller, President and Howard “H” White Senior Vice President of the JORDAN Brand. Together with superstar basketball legend Michael Jordan, this is the team that has built one of the most successful merchandise brands ever!

Urban Youth Naval Engine Program Final Presentations, NAVSEA, Philadelphia Navy Yard 12-13-13

• The students completed a comprehensive 22-week STEM program. The goal was to encourage students to explore careers within science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  The students did a full on collegiate level presentation to the Navy engineers that introduced them to naval ship design, engine design and configuration, ship maintenance procedures and more.