REALITY BASED SERVICES INC

WATERBURY, Connecticut, 06702-1909 United States

Mission Statement

“Provide guidance and supports that lead to the restoration of strong communities”

About This Cause

RBS is a non-profit organization that provides innovative programming to address some of the challenges of school aged youth and adult men in the community. • The Youth-Based component programing addresses student disengagement and low academic achievement by utilizing technology to create social justice projects that improve peer relations by utilizing their individual and collective talents and interest. The social justice projects aim to encourage, educate, and increase their community involvement by creating messaging that expresses their views. The youth-based programming will also provide incentives for sustaining and improving academically. Additionally (RBS) will also provide youth diversion and empowerment programming. We offer a variety of programs 1. Youth Media Arts Empowerment Program 2. Youth Empowerment Divert Program 3. Alternate Exposure to Education Program 1. Youth Media Arts & Empowerment program with a mission to counter negative media narratives. Our vision is to provide a positive space for youth aged 13-18, fostering creativity, expression, and community upliftment. Key Offerings: Open to diverse youth backgrounds, the program offers training in various media forms, including music production and video creation.Participants gain access to live and virtual instruments, music production tools, and video production resources. RBS facilitates talent showcases, exhibitions, media campaigns, and live performances for youth to showcase their creations.Academic support is integrated, with tutors available for homework assistance, reinforcing the importance of education. Program Focus: RBS aims to build social skills, teamwork, self-esteem, and confidence, emphasizing the artistic development of participants. It strives to counteract negative media influences by guiding youth to create media that is positive, respectful, and empowering. Each youth is paired with a qualified mentor trained in media literacy, guiding them through the "Mentoring Through Media" curriculum. Media Literacy Focus: The curriculum covers five core media literacy concepts, addressing message creation, creative techniques, diverse interpretations, represented values, and the purpose behind messages. RBS recognizes the impact of pop culture and aims to empower youth to create authentic messages that challenge societal norms. Community Impact: RBS identifies and fills gaps in community-based programming, focusing on nurturing latent skills in youth often overlooked by conventional systems. The program provides low to no-cost extracurricular activities, catering to students who may not fit into other after-school programs. RBS seeks to empower youth to shape a new narrative, fostering an environment of exploration, learning, and failure-free zones that encourage self-belief and potential realization. Long-Term Goals: RBS envisions creating future community leaders through the development of self-esteem, self-confidence, artistic skills, and media literacy. The program addresses the lack of access to tools and resources, ensuring that creative aptitude in youth does not go unnoticed or unrealized. In summary, Reality Based Services is committed to empowering youth through media arts, creating a space for positive expression, skill development, and community impact, ultimately shaping a new narrative that reflects the true potential and authenticity of each participant. 2. Youth Empower Divert is a groundbreaking social media-based program dedicated to empowering at-risk youth by diverting them from negative influences and fostering positive personal growth. The program strategically employs engaging content and interactive platforms to capture participants' interest, offering a constructive outlet for self-expression and skill development. With a focus on essential life skills, mentoring, and virtual peer support, Youth Empower Divert aims to create a supportive community that encourages personal empowerment, resilience, and long-term well-being. Program Objectives: 1. Diversion from Negative Influences: • Provide a positive alternative to at-risk youth, diverting their attention from negative behaviors, such as substance abuse, violence, and criminal activities. • Utilize engaging social media content and interactive platforms to capture their interest and provide a constructive outlet for self-expression. 2. Skill Development: • Offer a range of skill-building activities, workshops, and educational resources to enhance the participants' social, emotional, and practical skills. • Focus on essential skills like decision-making, problem-solving, communication, conflict resolution, empathy, and critical thinking. 3. Mentoring and Support: • Connect participants with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, encouragement, and support throughout their personal development journey. • Mentors will engage through social media platforms, offering virtual sessions, advice, and a listening ear to help participants overcome challenges and build resilience. 4. Personal Growth and Empowerment: • Foster an environment where participants can develop a positive self-image, self-confidence, and a sense of personal empowerment. • Encourage self-reflection, goal-setting, and the cultivation of positive habits to promote long-term personal growth and well-being. 5. Virtual Peer Support: • Create a supportive community of peers who share similar experiences, allowing participants to By forging partnerships with community organizations Youth Empower Divert seeks to make a lasting impact on at-risk youth, guiding them towards brighter futures and breaking the cycle of negative influences. 3. Program Overview: Creating Futures for Tomorrow's Leaders In response to the pressing need for diverse and sustainable pathways to success for our youth, we present an innovative program aimed at providing essential life skills and alternative career options beyond traditional college routes. "Creating Futures for Tomorrow's Leaders" is designed to empower children with a comprehensive set of skills that not only foster economic success but also encourage sustainability and personal growth. We are seeking your support as potential funders to bring this transformative program to life. Key Components: Cooking: Equipping participants with culinary skills that not only cater to personal enjoyment but also open doors to potential careers in the thriving food industry. Trades: Offering hands-on experience in various trades such as carpentry, plumbing, vehicle mechanics, welding, electrical work, and medical technology. This exposure will empower young individuals to explore and pursue fulfilling careers in these essential fields. Entrepreneurship: Nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit by providing the knowledge and tools necessary to turn innovative ideas into successful ventures. This component encourages creativity, critical thinking, and business acumen. Photography: Introducing the art and business of photography, providing a creative outlet that may lead to potential career opportunities in the rapidly evolving field of visual arts. Barbershop (Esthetics): Offering training in the art of grooming and esthetics, providing valuable skills that can be turned into successful ventures, including owning and operating a barbershop or salon. Agriculture: Cultivating an understanding of agriculture and sustainable practices, empowering youth to appreciate the importance of environmental stewardship and potentially pursue careers in this field. Life Skills: Providing practical knowledge on fundamental life skills, including financial literacy (opening bank accounts, business accounts, managing credit cards), basic household maintenance, and essential car maintenance. Men’s Health: Comprehensive education on men’s health covering nutrition, exercise, mental and emotional well-being, and navigating relationships. Empowering our youth with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their health and relationships. Stigmas and Breaking Barriers: Addressing societal stigmas and providing a platform for discussions on breaking or debunking these stigmas, fostering an inclusive and understanding environment. Turning Passions into Profits: Guiding youth on turning their passions into viable and sustainable income-generating activities, encouraging them to pursue fulfilling careers aligned with their interests. Conclusion: "Creating Futures for Tomorrow's Leaders" is a visionary program that seeks to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and equip our youth with the skills and knowledge needed for success in a rapidly evolving world. We are investing in the future of our children, providing them with the tools to create their own paths to economic success, sustainability, and fulfilling careers. We plan to empower the next generation to thrive, irrespective of traditional educational trajectories. we are in the process of building capacity for • The Adult Male programs will provide men internal and external resources (cloths, resume building, coaching, transportation, assessments, men’s groups etc.) that will help them maintain and continue incremental progress towards achieving their goals. These men will form connections that build community camaraderie and social capital. The men who utilize the services will be offered a voluntary needs assessment; and will be connected to providers & services in the community when RBS is unable to meet their direct needs. The goal is to help them become self-sufficient, through modeling, pairing, and coaching.

REALITY BASED SERVICES INC
170 Grand St
WATERBURY, Connecticut 06702-1909
United States
Phone 203-509-3490
Unique Identifier 825495188