Misson
To assist Seacoast youth to develop the competence, character, confidence, and resiliency necessary for a healthy and successful adulthood.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- Developmental changes, emerging independence, and a wider range of opportunities and choices make adolescence a time of unique promise and vulnerability.
- Some youth are at higher risk for problems because of underlying personal, family, and/or economic issues and may need extra guidance and support.
- An environment that is welcoming and appealing to a broad range of youth will help meet our commitment to those at highest risk.
- The most effective approach to improving the well being of youth is to identify, then work simultaneously, to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors.
- Youth are more likely to thrive in a safe environment that provides supportive guidance, consistently enforced standards, expectations and guidelines, and opportunities to develop useful skills and realistic goals for themselves.
- On-going relationships with caring, consistent, and competent adults support the healthy development of all youth.
- Communication and connections among the multiple contexts of adolescents’ lives–families, schools, peers, community organizations, and clinical services–increase the likelihood of positive outcomes for youth.
- Providing an environment where youth can learn to identify, negotiate, and manage challenges contributes to their empowerment and character development.
- Including youth as partners in policy development and program planning improves our services and is empowering for the youth involved.
GOALS
All New Heights Programs strive to:
- Foster respect for self, others, and the environment.
- Encourage the development of supportive relationships with adults and peers.
- Provide opportunities for participants to build skills and be recognized for their accomplishments.
- Enhance participants’ appreciation for education and learning and help them develop critical thinking skills.
- Help participants discriminate between healthy and unhealthy risk-taking.
- Encourage civic engagement and a sense of connection and belonging to the community.
- Help participants develop empathy and identification with others.
- Encourage respect for and appreciation of diversity.
ACTIVITIES/FUNCTIONS
- Structured challenges and opportunities
- Adventure experiences
- Encourage schools, law enforcement, and community organizations to refer youth who will benefit most from the activities offered
- Make a concerted effort to seek out participants who will benefit most from specific activities
ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS
- Program Evaluation
- Public Visibility
- Fund Raising
- Scholarship opportunities for those in need of financial aid
- Staff retention