NEW IMAGE YOUTH CENTER INC
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Mission Statement
The mission of New Image Youth Center is to provide a safe place to dream that fosters academic, social, physical and mental well-being for our youth.
About This Cause
New Image Youth Center is a year-round after school and summer camp program for youth in and around the Parramore Historic District of Orlando, FL. We offer programming and resources for academic support, social development, health and wellness, and social justice to school-aged youth, kindergarten through high school, and GED support, life skills, job placement services, and more for youth up to age 24. We provide a safe haven for youth in an area that is known for its high rates of poverty, substance abuse, mental illness and violent crime. Our safe haven provides youth the opportunity to dream and our programming provides them the opportunities, support and encouragement to fulfill those dreams. History: In the summer of 2004, twenty-one year-old college student Shantá Barton-Stubbs was concerned for the safety of children playing in the streets of the Parramore neighborhood in downtown Orlando. She invited them into her dad’s church to play a game. The next day the kids were back at the church asking for her, and the seed that grew into the New Image Youth Center was planted. Now in its 17th year NIYC has expanded to larger buildings, now occupying two classrooms and a dance studio for the award-winning Ladies of Destiny STEP dance team, MMA team and obstacle course racing team, The Give Team. The number of youth served annually has grown from the initial eight in 2004 to over 130 by 2019. All services are provided free of charge to our youth. What We Do: We offer year-round programming and resources centered around the five pillars of academic support, social development, health and wellness, crisis intervention, and social justice through our after-school and summer camp programs. More than 120 children aged 5 to 24 participate annually. The staff, board members and volunteers have a wide variety of credentials including Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMHC), Masters Degree in elementary education, attorneys, university professors, accountants, and more. We are the first youth social service organization in our area with a mental health therapist on staff. We welcome and develop community partnerships with organizations that are aligned with our four pillars, such as Harbor House and Pet Alliance. We use our wide variety of experience, credentials and network of supporters to provide a safe place to dream that fosters academic, social, physical and mental well-being for our youth. How NIYC differs from other youth centers: We are directly located in the neighborhood we serve. We are the first youth social services organization in our area with a Licensed Mental Health Therapist on staff. Our services are provided at no cost to our youth. We offer 24/7 crisis intervention including economic assistance and mental health assistance as needed, which reduces stress on our youth when families are going through crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic: While schools were closed, we coordinated delivery of over 4000 meals to families who rely heavily on school-provided meals for their children. In addition, we increased our Crisis Intervention activities, directly impacting more than 190 individuals. NIYC staff stepped up to provide tutoring for students engaged in virtual learning for the first time, totaling approximately 2000 hours of tutoring services in 2020. We included more academic, yet fun, activities in our summer camp to support our students in maintaining and growing their skills, and started a popular STEM Club to offer hands-on exploration and experimentation. When school began in August, we created two virtual learning "pods" for children whose families could not provide environments conducive to virtual learning. Mental health therapy sessions were conducted via Zoom for individuals, families and groups, and continue both virtually and in-person. We created a Play Therapy Room, a safe place where children can express their emotions and learn vital skills for mental and emotional health, all through play. During the racial unrest of early summer 2020 our youth were exposed to frequent protests, including some that traveled past our campus. This led to the creation of our fifth pillar, Social Justice, and multiple educational experiences that enabled our middle and high-schoolers to interact with local leaders and to deepen their understanding of African American history. NIYC Vision: For the youth in the Parramore area to fulfill their dreams, regardless of their circumstances. NIYC Mission: To provide a safe place to dream that fosters academic, social, physical and mental well-being for our youth. NIYC Values: Generosity: No matter how little you have, you always have something to give. Excellence: Give your best effort in everything you do. Courage: Dream big, work hard and never give up. Loyalty: We are a family. Integrity: Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.