T4P: Training 4 Purpose
The mission of T4P is to provide every youth the opportunity to strengthen their body and mind while developing healthy relationships in a positive environment. We want students to learn how to become responsible decision makers when encountering high risk situations that could have life-altering consequences.
Website: https://trainingforpurpose.org/
T4P Includes: READING4PURPOSE,
SMART-RECOVERY, and HOPE-ON-WHEELS.
Each component will address the needs identified below by implementing a multifaceted approach that integrates the enhancement of protective factors that couple intentional high dosage intervention for our youth population. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), the number of school days are almost equal to the number of non-school days, and even though the number are equal, 63 percent of juvenile violent crimes occur on school days. Nearly one-fifth (19%) of juvenile violent crimes occur during the 4 hours after school on school days between 3pm and 7pm. Most youth between the ages of 12-17 begin to experiment with drugs, alcohol, and sex during after school hours. T4P will be useful, valuable, and meet the needs and demand identified by: providing strategies that weave the goal of optimal health into every component, clearly communicating that teen sex is a risk behavior for both the physical consequences of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections; as well as sociological, economic, and other related risks, providing information and practical skills to assist youth in successfully avoiding sexual risks, and providing youth engaged in sex with affirmation and skills to make healthier and risk-free choices in the future. The proposed approach will also integrate protective factors relative to the importance of providing youth with the opportunity to have positive relationships with caring adults.
T4P wins of the Year
“Three seniors shadowed me for two days. I showed them things I did as a business owner and the things I did with Excel. One stop we made was with Apryl Jackson of East Initiative. She showed them some things she did at her job and connected one of the students with an advisor of Southern Arkansas University Tech. This student at the time did not have a plan for when he graduated high school. He knew he wanted to be a game designer but didn’t know the steps to getting there. After seeing what Apryl does at her job and talking to the advisor, he applied to Southern Arkansas University Tech and got accepted. He will be attending there in the fall of 2019.
Another Student had planned on joining the Air Force. We practiced parts of the ASVAB every Tuesday & Thursday from October- December of 2018. He took the ASVAB in January and made a 69, 33 points above the minimum amount needed to join the Air Force. He swore in March 18 and will be headed to San Antonio, TX for Training Camp on June 4th.
Student 3 — This Student is also a senior. He wanted to be either a personal trainer or physical therapist. Luckily for him, that was my major in college. During the year, we narrowed his focus down to physical therapy. After he took the ACT and was accepted into UCA, I showed him what to major in and what classes he could take to sharpen his skills in math and science. He will Start summer class in July of 2019.
Student 4 — This student was having a very tough time passing his permit test. One reason was that he couldn’t read very well. Every Tuesday and Thursday when he joined, we would sit alone and read chapters from different books to help him read better. After doing this for about a month we started taking practice questions online for his permit. He took his permit test at the end of December and now has his driver license.
Student 5 — This student is a senior and had a goal to play tennis in college. He didn’t have any offers or recruiters looking at him. I used to play college football and worked at Alabama A&M University. I have a good relationship with the Tennis coach at A&M. I called him and told him about the student’s interest. He wanted me to get some film on him so he could see what he looks like. We went to Hendrix college and played against one of their players. After editing the film, I sent it back to him and he was very interested in signing him after the next tennis season. This student will attend a junior college for one year to play tennis and have a full ride scholarship at Alabama A&M University in the fall of 2020.
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CONGRATS TO OUR CLASS OF 2019!
Jacoby Wright, Martez Trezvant, Trayvon Brown, Chico Pickrom, Kyann Scruggs
CLASSES OF ‘20 AND ‘21
“We had a real talk session this week. I asked two boys why they were here. Most comments were along the lines of ‘I dont have anything else BETTER to do.’ and ‘I can work out and get stronger.’ etc. Of all the things the students shared about why they were at T4P, there were two comments that stood out the most...”
“If I wasn’t here, I would be at home smoking weed. I usually smoke before my Mom gets home. Because I’m here working out and learning life skills, my Mom is already there by the time I get home so I can’t smoke! T4P is helping me to quit smoking.”
“I’m here to find myself. I dont know who I am. A lot of people tell me that others look up to me so I want to be a better influence...especially to my little brother.”