Positive Youth Life Center

Program Overview

The Positive Youth Life Center ("The Center") is a 501 (c) (3) that is dedicated to improving the academic outcomes of children living in Philadelphia, Mississippi or the Neshoba County area. The overarching goal of the program is to offer children living and being educated in underserved communities' with opportunities to receive additional educational enrichment, either through the creation of new activities or expansion of existing efforts. The Center aims to reach this goal by providing academic courses and enrichment activities that focus on character development, physical fitness, literacy and technology, and the arts. Education models that yield demonstrated results in academic achievement, they offer holistic and innovative learning approaches that are reflected in the curricula and pedagogical methods. This is not different with the Center. The Center stands in a unique position as it is able to use its facilities to work with children from the Neshoba County area. The partnership with the school, parents, and Center is a model within itself. Effective community learning or education models have strong anchors at the core of the coalition. Because the Center is housed off the school's campus, changing the learning environment opens participants' minds to creativity and to explore beyond the walls of the school halls they have walked for about seven to eight hours.

Critical to the Center's efforts is its approaches and strategies to educating the whole child. In "Making the Case for Educating the Whole Child," the authors correctly observe "we live in a global economy that requires our students to be prepared to think both critically and creatively, evaluate massive amounts of information, solve complex problems, and communicate well. A strong foundation in reading, writing, math, and other core subjects is still as important as ever, yet by itself is insufficient for lifelong success."

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

One grandparent commented "To see my grandson up and ready to go to PYLC…lets me know he loves the people (teachers) there. The program also prepares my grandson's mind for understanding; how important education is for him to be successful in life."

A mother noted that her expectations were actually far exceeded. Her summary and observation of the program highlights many of the statements that were shared in the evaluations.

Yes, actually the program has far exceeded my expectations. The program goes above and beyond the educational needs of the children. They also help the children socially and with recreational activities. The opportunities this program provides maybe the only help that some of the children receive."

Of the most rewarding aspects of the program, notable quotes include:

"The environment is conducive for learning."
"…the fact that they [children] can learn and they [staff] helps with all their [sic] school work…"
"…being around other children and being motivated to do their best…"
"I just like the atmosphere and the changes that I see in my son."