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Teen REACH Program

Teen REACH stands for Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring and Hope. The program, which began in 1998, was established by the Illinois Department of Human Services. The program offers positive services and activities for youth between the ages of 6 and 17 during out-of-school hours.

Teen REACH has helped thousands of kids stay out of trouble and enjoy life! The general goal of Teen REACH is to increase academic success while reducing risk-taking behaviors such as substance abuse, criminal activities and premature sexual behavior.

The program seeks specifically to address the following five core elements:  

1. Improving Academic Performance, which encompasses time to do homework, tutoring in basic skills and enrichment programs that encourage creativity. 
2. Recreation, sports and activities that provide safe outlets for the participants to try new skills and interests, build friendships, find their place in a group and gain developmentally relevant experiences.  
3. Positive adult mentors, who allow opportunities for participants to develop and maintain positive, sustained relationships with adults through mentoring and other programs that emphasize one-on-one interactions. 
4. Life skills education that provides abstinence education and character development training, which helps participants adopt positive decision-making skills that discourage harmful risk-taking behaviors, such as substance use, criminal involvement, violence and sexual activity. 
5. Parental involvement so that parents and guardians have opportunities to meet with staff to discuss their children’s activities and to participate in events that strengthen parent/child bonds and community involvement. 

 Benefits to Parents for enrolled students

× No program fees or costs to parents (unless special events are scheduled)

× Access to adult mentors on site during school hours (1:30 to 2:45)

× Assistance with monitoring students grades and academic progress

× Free nutritional snacks provided

× Free computer literacy training opportunities

Why Parents are encourages to participate

× Attend scheduled parents meetings and workshops

× Volunteer to serve as program assistant

× Join Teen REACH Advisory Council Committee

× Enhance Teen REACH program through parent involvement

 Teen REACH Information

× After School Hours: 2:45 - 5:30

× Days of Operation: Mondays - Thursdays

× Dates: September, 2005 - June, 2006

   (Closed on all major holidays)

× Participants: Ages 10 - 17

× Enrollments: All participants must be enrolled by parents or legal guardian

× Forms: Registration forms must be completed, signed, and returned

before student can participate.

Teen REACH Photo Gallery