American Savings Foundation awarded a $41,500 grant to Waterbury Youth Services, Inc. (WYS) for the agency’s flagship after school program for high school students “Linking Academics to Life.”

“Linking Academics to Life (LAL)” is a free college, career and life readiness program for underserved youth in Waterbury that promotes self-awareness, self-discovery and charting a successful life course.

“LAL not only enhances school attendance and success, but it also significantly enhances teens’ Developmental Asset Profile (DAP) test scores”  says Kathi M. Crowe, WYS Executive Director.  The DAP is the most widely used approach to assessing and promoting positive youth development in the United States. It is a measure of student well-being and covers such areas as home, school, community life, sense of achievement, optimism, health, and life skills.

“In the 2018-2019 academic year, 98% of LAL youth reported growth/improvement in their overall DAP scores; 100% of students advanced to the next grade level on time; and 100% of seniors graduated from high school on time,” says Crowe. “We’re incredibly proud of our youth.”

Studies show that when teens are enrolled in after-school programs they are three times less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as juvenile crime, drug use and substance use.

“When they come to WYS, they are in a safe environment where they are mentored by positive role models that help them reach education goals, explore their potential, become more independent, and develop leadership and social skills," says Crowe.

WYS offers one of the few free after school programs for high school students in Waterbury.

In addition, youth from the LAL program will have an opportunity to attend a tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the south during the 2019-2020 academic year.
“You can’t be what you can’t see,” says Crowe.  “Many of our youth have not ventured much beyond Waterbury.  This tour gives them the opportunity to experience a broader network, explore a different version of themselves, and see a new path in front of them.”

According to WYS statistics, 97% of LAL youth come from families who live below the federal poverty level; 80% self-identify as youth of color; 52% as Hispanic/Latino.

"This program fills a vital unmet need for Waterbury youth," says American Savings Foundation President Maria Falvo. “We are honored to be a long term partner and supporter of this life-changing program.”

In LAL, youth spend the after school hours on homework, tutoring ,in workshops and participate in 4 diverse, dynamic programs of their choice: Senior Preparation, Woodworking, Journalism, or Entrepreneurship. Students must attend high school daily in order to participate in LAL and maintain a minimum C grade point average. If they fall below a C, the program provides individual tutoring.

LAL youth also participate in themed celebrations, financial literacy workshops, community service, and other activities. Monthly "Family Nights" educate parents on the college application process and encourage parent participation in the LAL program.

Youth are also offered monthly stipends dependent on school and program attendance and academic achievement. This serves as an additional motivator and way to increase school performance. It also allows youth who might otherwise have to work after school to participate in the program and focus on academics.

Waterbury Youth Services is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit charity serving 1,000 youth and their families each year through 22 programs including: Juvenile Justice, Mentoring, Truancy Prevention, Homeless Youth Resource Center, Youth & Family Emergency Services, Afterschool Programs, and Child Abuse Interdisciplinary Team. For more information, visit www.waterburyyouthservices.org.

American Savings Foundation is a permanent charitable endowment which provides grants to local nonprofit organizations, in addition to college scholarships to area students. The Foundation is a broad-based funder dedicated to improving the quality of life for the residents of the communities they serve.