Futures pg 8

This is an Equal Opportunity Program.
Discrimination is prohibited by Federal Law.
Complaints of discrimination may be filed with the Administrator, RHCDS, USDA, Washington, DC 20250-0700

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Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority


Program Teen Challenge Homework Club Other community services programs Partners Central Kitsap School District Key Bank Literacy Council YWCA Many, many others "These kids belong to our community. It's so fitting that the community volunteers, public organizations and businesses are coming together to help these kids succeed." - Renee Overath, Central Kitsap School District "We don't just want to house people and forget about them. These programs help foster a sense of pride, self esteem and community, all keys to a bright future." - Norman McLoughlin, Executive Director, KCCHA Results Nearly 1,000 kids, families and seniors have participated in programs that range from family nutrition education to first-time homebuyer classes. National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials National Merit Award for Teen Challenge in 2000, Homework Club in 1999. NW Regional Council PRAIS Award for Homework Club		"It looks kinda scary." Alexis (right) and fellow team member Devita discuss strategy for climbing up the vertical wall. Group problem-solving is an integral part of the Teen Challenge Program."
		Thirty-five feet seems a long way when it's straight up and there's not much to hold on to. "I wanna go down NOW! wails 14-year-old Alexis, who is only a quarter of the way through her first climb at the indoor Vertical World Gym in Seattle.
			"You can do it!" a cluster of her friends below
	While they were buckling me up, I kept thinking 'I don't know if I can do this,' says Alexis, "but people motivated me."		yell to her. Moments later, Alexis is at the top, beaming. "Yes! I did it! So what's next?" For Alexis, "what's next" includes ambitious plans for her future, which include politics, debate, and being an African-American spokesperson who affects people's lives in a positive way. The future hasn't always seemed so bright to Alexis. "For a while there, I didn't like people and didn't think I fit in." Part of what turned her around was Teen Challenge, KCCHA's national award-winning program. Designed to keep high-risk teens off the streets after school, it focuses on creating a sense of community and self worth while teaching group problem-solving and how to apply these lessons to real life. And it's fun, so kids keep coming back. Teen Challenge is just one of many programs offered to kids and families who live in any KCCHA housing -