This Youth Empowerment Program is the first of its kind in Arkansas; it repurposes the peer recovery model into a curriculum for adolescents. Wolfe Street Foundation Program Development Manager Rebecca Webber elaborates, “It was created to be proactive, not just reactive. Instead of waiting until a young person is in crisis, we offer them a space to reflect, lead, and grow before those challenges escalate.” With more than four decades of proven success, Wolfe Street Foundation continues to help individuals and families build a brighter future.
Rebecca remembers the creative collaboration with Executive Director Justin Buck to bring this initiative to life. “I was serving as Tov Mental Health Counseling Adolescent Program Manager and worked closely with Glenn McCracken. We worked side-by-side to create the curriculum.” It was presented to Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas. “Who became the founding funders and trusted partners. All of this is possible because of the support from the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas. Their commitment to innovation and prevention has made it possible to serve teens in a truly transformative way.”
Specifically designed for teens – the program accepts referrals from parents, schools, behavioral health professionals and individuals. Resources are offered at Youth Empowerment Center as well as schools and include one-on-one peer support, leadership programs, workshops and more. “In every setting, our focus is the same: to create spaces where youth feel connected, supported, and capable of becoming the best version of themselves.” Substance use and risk of overdose are challenges and potential obstacles for young Arkansans. “We believe people thrive in community, and this creates spaces where youth feel seen, supported, and surrounded by peers and mentors who care.” She notes with pride, the transformation that can happen in this environment. “We’ve seen teens completely shift how they see themselves in just a few months. That kind of growth is powerful. And it’s contagious.”
Participants outline personal values, create a mission statement and envision their own Hero on the Horizon – a future version of themselves to accomplish. “We want young people to feel a sense of ownership over their lives and futures. That means helping them build peer relationships, access mental and physical health support, and connect to school and community resources.” This philosophy is reflected in each of the Wolfe Street Foundation Pillar Programs: Peer Support, Recovery Residences and Youth Empowerment. “We think of ourselves as community builders. Our job is to make sure systems talk to each other, people don’t fall through the cracks, and hope is a firm foundation for your path forward.”
WOLFE STREET FOUNDATION
