Youth Development

AS220 Youth is a free arts education program for young people ages 14-21, with a special focus on those in the care and custody of the state. 

AS220 Youth Studio is closed at this time due to pandemic. Information 

AS220 Youth is a nationally recognized, award-winning after-school educational program and creative incubator for young people. Serving young people ages 14-21 with a special focus on those in the care and custody of the state, the program strives to dismantle the pipeline to prison by empowering  at-risk, beyond-risk and incarcerated youth through arts, culture and collective action.

Best Buddies Rhode Island offers One-to-One Friendship and Leadership Development programs – positively impacting individuals with and without disabilities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

One-to-One Friendship Program Information

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In 2018, BBMA and BBRI merged in an effort to combine resources to ensure continued growth and increase opportunities for expansion in both states.

Our programs focus on science, health, and developing life skills.

About 4H

• Community Clubs
• Project Clubs
• Individual Memberships

Example of Programs

• Animal Projects
• Science and Technology
• Healthy Living
• Leadership and Life Skills
• Fairs

Get Involved

Youth participating in 4-H activities have opportunities to offer positive contributions to our diverse and changing society.

RI 4-H is the youth outreach education program of Cooperative Extension in the University of Rhode Island’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences.
4-H offers opportunities for Belonging – young people don’t just join 4-H. . .they belong!

Christina DiCenzo , 4-H Program Coordinator

401-874-9412 – cdicenzo@uri.edu

Programs include:

• Classes
• Group lessons
• Gear loan program
• Gender discussion group (ages 14-18)
• Youth "Drop In" 

Youth Rock Camp: is an intensive one-week day camp offered to youth ages 11-17, where campers of all skill levels have the opportunity to learn guitar, bass, drums, vocals, or other instruments. Campers will also form a band, write an original song, and perform at the final Showcase for friends, family, and fans!

Girls Rock! Rhode Island is a volunteer-based non-profit that uses music creation and critical thinking to foster empowerment, collaborative relationships, and the development of healthy identities in girls and women.

TALC is a program for adolescents (age 13-18) who live with chronic  medical illness and their families.  We provide year-round programming focusing on support, advocacy, and healthcare transition skills.

• Monthly Council Meetings for members
• Parent Group
• Mentors age 18-22
• Leadership Opportunities TALC is also the official youth advisory council for Hasbro Children's Hospital. TALC members provide leadership to the hospital for issues related to the patient experience.  

See website for video of members explaining how the program works and why you should join TALC!

Transitioning from childhood to being a teenager, to the independence of young adulthood is challenging. Consider what it would be like to cope with typical teen angst and have to manage a chronic illness as well.
For teens with a variety of chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, lupus, cancer, sickle cell anemia, Crohn’s disease, and epilepsy, they don’t have to do it alone. The Adolescent Leadership Council (TALC) provides a forum for adolescents ages 13-18 who are managing a chronic illness to interact with peers who are going through similar experiences and to meet college-age mentors who also have a chronic illness. Through programming, TALC members gain insights and perspective along with the confidence and advocacy skills needed to navigate their medical circumstance in the short- and long-term.
TALC teens meet monthly during the academic year, participate in social and art-related events, attend an annual team-building retreat and an annual overnight summer leadership camp. TALC also serves as the official “Youth Advisory Council” for the hospital.

Contact Abby McGuire, TALC Program Coordinator  at TALCProgram@gmail.com

Youth Pride has extensive programs and Services Information  

• Drop-in Center
• Support Groups- Gender Spectrum, The Way Out and Under 13
• Crisis Intervention and Case Management
• Individual Counseling
• Mentoring
• Basic Needs Pantry

Youth Pride Inc. (YPI) is an affirming space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning young people to build community, develop connections and be themselves. Youth come together from a wide range of backgrounds and join with one another over common issues and activities, sometimes as simple as playing video games or sharing a meal. All of our programs are free of charge and include individual counseling, weekly discussion groups, leadership trainings, social events and wellness activities. In the end, youth experiences at YPI can be transformative.

Recognizing that LBGTQQ youth exist outside of YPI, we also provide professional development and training for youth service providers, social service organizations and schools so they have the information and resources to treat all youth with respect and dignity.

In School Youth Ages 14 – 21- Youth enrolled in a middle school or high school at the current time.

Drop out prevention tutoring Program

Summer jobs

Workforce readiness

Free job training

Skills Center Services: For Out of School Youth ages 16 – 24

Youth who have dropped out of high school or have a High School diploma and are looking for further education or Employment services. 

GED Classes

Free occupational/job skill trainings

Financial Literacy classes

Youth Prevention Services
Adult and Youth Education, Employment & Training [https://tricountyri.org/services/adult-and-youth-education-employment-training/]
Youth Sports [https://tricountyri.org/services/sports-recreation/]
Senior and Disabled Adult Case Management Program
Victim of Crime Advocacy Program (VOCA)
Victim of Crime Advocacy Program (VOCA) for D/deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf/Blind
Health Center [https://tricountyri.org/services/health-centers-lab/]

Mission:
“To provide accessible, quality, and comprehensive social, educational, health, prevention, and other services to people in need, while empowering them to achieve the highest possible level of self-sufficiency and quality of life."

Tri-County Community Action Program has 12 sites in multiple communities throughout the State of Rhode Island.

Active Youth Council at Rhode Island Department of Health since 2012 

• Positive Youth Development
• Build Resume
• Dare to Dream 2.0 Ambassadors
• Paid Leadership Opportunities

Please contact mentor Kathy Kuiper for additional information and meeting invite.  

Meeting virtually via Zoom!

The Rhode Island Department of Health( RIDOH) Youth Advisory Council is a dynamic group of young people and mentors that meets monthly from September-May. Nationally recognized as an Emerging Practice by the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP), members learn about public health topics and have the opportunity to provide feedback concerning RIDOH programs that impact youth.

The Council also serves as part of the planning committee for the statewide annual student leadership conference titled, Dare to Dream 2.0.

New Members and support staff are encouraged to attend a meeting. Please contact Kathy Kuiper for additional information. Kuiper@ripin.org

Virtual Meeting Dates

September 3, 2020 6:30-7:30 pm  

September 24, 2020 6:00-7:00 pm

October 29, 2020 6:00-7:00 pm 

November 19, 2020 6:00-7:00 pm

December 17, 2020 6:00-7:00 pm

January 21, 2021 6:30-7:30 pm

February 25, 2021 6:00-7:00 pm

March 25, 2021 6:00-7:00 pm

April 29, 2021 6:00-7:00 pm

May 13, 2021 6:00-7:00 pm

May 20, 2021 6:00-7:00 pm 

Virtual meetings are in place at this time. This is the perfect time to try the YAC out! Contact  Kathy Kuiper at 222-5887 or Kuiper@ripin.org. 

Intake Assessment first appointment [https://www.socialsparksri.com/new-clients]
Individual therapy
Adult therapy
Group therapy
Family therapy
Interest-based clubs

Social Skills Groups

Programs target:
Self-management
Self-Awareness
Responsible Decision-Making
Relationship Skills
Social Awareness
Mindfulness

Social Sparks is a Social Emotional Learning Center where we strive to provide services to a diverse clientele through unique, individualized strategies and curricula. We aim to make therapy accessible to all and accommodate and differentiate throughout our therapy to meet the ever growing needs of clients and groups as a whole. Our goal is to provide essential life skills for individuals to successfully socialize, regulate and navigate through life.

Ambassadors https://www.charihoyouth.org/ambassadors 

Mental Health Promotion

Helping Populations of Need

Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles

Substance Abuse Prevention

Strong Arms Support Group https://www.charihoyouth.org/strong-arms-support-group

Our mission is to educate, empower, and engage youth and adults in order to create a sense of community, to promote wellness, and to sustain opportunity for Chariho voices to be heard.

Facilitate conversations to address the concerns and passions of the community regarding health and wellness.  

​Support the community through a comprehensive, evidence-based approach and provide resources, education, and outreach.

Through authentic youth engagement we will ensure that all young people will have a seat at the table of their choosing and provide opportunities for leadership.