Through its Youth Services Division, SER offers several programs aimed at developing Detroit's youth for success in life by creating and preparing them for opportunities for long-term employment, life skills management, educational advancement, personal growth, and productive citizenship. In the delivery of youth services, SER embraces a holistic strategy to make a real difference in the lives of all youth in the communities we serve.
Youth programs include:
Similar to the GED Preparation tailored to adults, eligible youth have the opportunity to earn the GED Credential as they prepare for post-secondary education or training as well as the workplace. The SER GED Preparation program offers a technology-based curriculum that allows students to work at their own pace, focusing on those areas of weakness as determined by diagnostic testing. Based on assessment outcomes, each student is provided with a learning sequence tailored to his/her specific academic needs.
In order to ensure that all potential GED testers have attained the education levels required, many new students are first placed in remediation before they begin the actual GED preparation classes. These students work on many of the same exercises as the GED students, but at a level and pace more suitable to their existing skills. When attendance and assessments show the necessary improvement, these students are moved into the GED Preparation program.
Another strong feature of the program is our GED faculty and staff, who provide one-on-one tutoring to students and that are committed to the success of students. A combination of computer-based learning, handouts, experiential learning, and ongoing assessments allow the GED student to focus more completely on achieving necessary levels to be sent for GED testing.
The GED Preparation program is operated from two SER Detroit locations: the Samaritan Center at 5555 Conner (Eastside) and 9301 Michigan Avenue (Southwest). The program is available Monday thru Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at each center. In order to participate in the GED Program you must be between the ages of 18-21 and reside in the City of Detroit.
The Youth of Promise Leadership Program is aimed at helping youth to grow up to be productive adults, good and caring citizens, and stewards of their community. Program activities will be conducted in the classroom and/or computer labs and may also include weekend participation for other activities in which students will be engaged to achieve their goals. Key components of the program include: leadership development; academic enrichment in English/Language Arts and Mathematics; personal development, goal setting and time management; financial education; community service, career exploration and post secondary education exploration; career and workplace skills development; computer skills training; health and fitness activities; tutoring; and, mentoring.
The Youth of Promise Leadership Program will begin July 1, 2009 and will be offered during after school hours, Monday through Thursday. Participating students will be eligible to receive monetary incentives for attendance and achievement. This project is funded by the Detroit Workforce Development Department.
As part of SER’s efforts to keep youth in school and transform their paths for successful futures, we began to operate the SER Learning Academy in 2008. In partnership with the EMG Empowerment Academy, the school was established as a virtual high school for youth ages 16-19. The Learning Academy is unique in that it is tailored to the needs of each student, combines classroom instruction to technology, and enables students to learn a trade while in school. The SER Learning Academy is structured so that students participate in academic instruction in the classroom and on the computer for half of the day and in hands-on vocational instruction for the remainder of the school day. Students may select from building trades, computer repair or medical assisting as a career path. Academic instruction is inclusive of all core subject areas required for graduation and uses a State-approved curriculum. School personnel also provide students with career and personal counseling and assistance with the transition into higher education or employment.
