On a recent Thursday afternoon, more than 60 local teens streamed into the Marysville YMCA for a popular after-school program. The kids quickly settled into seats at several long tables, flipped open their books and began working on homework-accompanied, of course, by chatter and friendly overtures.

The Minority Achievers Program, which focuses on the needs of non-white students, is a fixture at eight sites in Snohomish County, with two more planned to open by September. In addition to the sessions held each Tuesday and Thursday at the Y, a primarily Hispanic group meets weekly at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

"Students in MAP are from very diverse backgrounds," said Liane Ha'i, the Marysville program's coordinator. "We have a large contingent of Russian-Ukraine kids, and many students of Vietnamese, Pacific Islanders and Filipino descent. There are also kids here from Yemen and India and many other nations."

The common thread among the students is their families' relative newness to the area. "Many of the kids are first generation Americans, and a lot of the parents speak no English or only very little," Ha'i explained.

J.J. Frank, MAP director for YMCA of Snohomish County, began focusing on the needs of minority teens in 2002 when he was teen services director. He modeled the MAP concept after a Black Achievers program run by the national YMCA organization.

"Here in our communities, there's less need for a program for African-American students than for other ethnicities," said Frank. "The gap here tends to be seen in Asian and Native American backgrounds, and the growing Russian-Ukraine population."

The teens, who range from 6th to 12th grade students, choose to come to the after-school program voluntarily. "We don't really advertise or solicit participation," said Ha'i. "The kids tell their friends, and the program has grown by word of mouth."

The first hour of the afternoon is spent on homework, with community college students volunteering their time as tutors as needed. The teens are fed a healthy snack, then are given an afternoon pass to use the YMCA facility to work out, play a game of basketball, or swim.

"We want to encourage the kids to be active, to move around," said Ha'i. "That healthy lifestyle is important to their success too."

One of the more popular programs offered by MAP is "Know How to Go," which focuses on preparing students for college. The leaders organize campus tours and help students navigate financial aid requirements and scholarship applications.

"Since many of the parents don't speak English, and may not have college educations themselves, they are overwhelmed by the application process," Ha'i explained. "We can help these students and their families get through that maze of paperwork and help them find the right opportunity."

Ian Barilea is one of the MAP students participating in the "Know How to Go" program. A senior at M-PHS in the Pathways of Choice school, he has participated in field trips to several local colleges and was recently awarded one of two scholarships from the Marysville MAP group.

Ian, who is of Filipino descent, started attending MAP last November, shortly after his family moved to the area from Seattle. He enjoys the close-knit friendships he's developed in the group, and noted that it's an "overall fun environment."

"We are learning and supporting one another," he said, "but we're also having fun. Going to Mariners games, EMP and other things are great."

Olga Rotar, a freshman at M-P's School of the Entrepreneur, agreed with Ian's "fun" assessment, but she also recognizes the value of a dedicated study time.

"If I was at home, I probably wouldn't do all my homework," she admitted. "Here, I can get that work done and hang out with my friends at the same time."

Olga, whose parents moved to the United States from Ukraine before she was born, appreciates the supportive atmosphere she's experienced at MAP.

"When people are nice and respectful, it makes you really want to come," said Olga. She has told other students about the program and now there are approximately 20 Russian and Ukrainian teens who attend MAP on a regular basis.

Another extremely popular and well-known spinoff of the MAP program is a break-dancing team known as Soul Rebels. The ten or so dancers, all male, are the backbone of the annual 360 Break Dance Competition, which will be held this year on June 13.

"This is the largest competition of its kind in Snohomish County," said Ha'i, "and the kids are responsible for everything. They do all the planning and marketing, they invite competitors and sell tickets." This year's event has outgrown its previous venue at the YMCA, and will be held at Totem Middle School.

While the program is designed to be fun, Ha'i and Frank stress the importance of providing a safe, accepting environment for kids that may feel out of place at school or in the larger community.

"What helps them become achievers is the unity, being together with their peers and trusted adults," said Ha'i. "They have important opportunities to volunteer for community service projects, to explore career and educational goals, and to gain a better understanding of the traditions and heritage of others."

The Minority Achievers Program is made possible through grants and donations and, although the program is hosted by the local YMCA, its funding is completely separate. A fundraising event is planned for January each year.

To find out more about the local MAP offerings, visit www.ymca-snoco.org and click on Teens.

blog comments powered by Disqus