Vision: 

To provide positive life options to underprivileged youth and their families through a diverse array of services that will empower participants to become self -sufficient, productive citizens.

Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U) has sponsored many programs for underprivileged teens, their families, and the communities in which they live. Many of these programs have been  extremely  successful throughout the thirteen years of  Y. O. U.’s presence in Quitman County, Mississippi first. Later many of the model programs have been extended into the neighboring counties of Coahoma, Tallahatchie, and Panola. 

           “Our efforts are not just merely implementing programs for youth but setting a standard of excellence that ensures quality and professional services for the youth and families that we serve. It is my desire to keep the community informed of our progress and what is  going on here at the YOU center.  This website is just another way of connecting and keeping in touch.”- Evelyn Jossell , C.E.O

Board of Directors

Charlestein Harris

Sam McCray

Ila Foster

Josephine Jackson

Travis Kinnell

Evelyn Jossell

BACKGROUND AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF Y.O.U. IN THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA

 

The Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) Program has enjoyed tremendous success since its establishment in 1992. The initiative grew out of the awareness that economically disadvantaged parenting teens and school dropouts lacked the basic environmental support and services essential for proper growth, development, and functioning in society. The Y.O.U. Program works closely with the participating School Districts in each county (Coahoma, Quitman, North Panola and West Tallahatchie) in the identification and selection of youth at risk from ages 6-21, and provides these selected youth and their parents an array of services that will address some of the negative factors in their lives.

       The core of the program is its GED prep, ACT/SAT prep, and remediation and tutorial services for “at-risk” students. Complimentary programs include abstinence

      education, community counseling, school-based clinic, mentoring, childcare center and a recreational and cultural enrichment program. The Y.O.U. program represents a departure from the traditional educational and social service system. This departure is portrayed

      through its focus on dropouts, pregnant teens, children of teens and preadolescents,     involvement and training of parents, and the use of a multidisciplinary approach to service delivery. The Y.O.U. Program was initially funded under a 3.5 million dollar grant from the Department of Labor.

 

What We Offer:

¨ Abstinence Education                   Grades 4th-12th

¨ Parenting Skills                               Pregnant and Parenting Teens

¨ Service Learning                               Grades K-12th

¨ G.E.D. & Family Literacy             Ages 16 & Above

¨ Performing Arts                                Grades 4th-12th

¨ Sports & Recreation                        Grades K-12th

¨ Employment Skills Training         Ages 16 & Above

¨ After-School Tutoring                     Grades K-12th

¨ Homework Assistance                    Grades K-12th

¨ Youth Mentoring                               Grades4th-12th

¨ Family Mentoring                             Families in Crisis

¨ S.P.A.C.E. Camp                               K-12th

¨ Respite Care                                     Parenting Teens

¨ Adult and Youth Aerobics             General Public

¨ Weight Training                                General Public

¨ Parent Support Groups                   Parenting Teens

¨ Guardian Angel                                 Grades K-12th

¨ Tobacco Cessation                          Grades K-12th

¨ Multimedia Class                              Grades 8th-12th

¨ Project STAY                                    Grades 4th-12th

¨ Project ASPIRE                                Ages 12-17

¨ Early Learning Academy                Infants & Toddlers

Mrs. Henson

Programs Manager