Essay On Health Promotion

Introduction Health Promotion programs that target at-risk youth are so necessary in the day and age. Youth mentoring is one of the most underutilized tools in America for the successful development of intelligent and prosperous young men and women. Young people need multi-dimensional care in order to successfully mature into well rounded members of society. “Unfortunately, the majority of youth today are not receiving the attention they need in order to reach their full potential” (Boyle, 2004). The youth told to the streets for attention. They find comfort in drugs, gangs and other poor practices.
The name & location of the Health Promotion program Reclaiming America's Communities through Empowerment (RACE) is a nonprofit organization that specializes in gang intervention and prevention programs (“RACE 4 Communities”, n.d.). RACE provides alternatives for at-risk youth to help them overcome their complications and achieve their full potential. RACE has been operating in Gardena, California since 2008.
Services & Information that is provided through the program
There are many services that are implemented by RACE. The Sports Programs promotes physical fitness, a positive use of relaxation time, gratitude for the environment and positive relationships. The After School Programs provide the youth with supervision and resources, such as tutors. Between the hours 3 and 6pm, kids are often neglected and most likely to participate in hazardous behavior, commit crimes, or be victimized by crimes. It’s important for a child to have a strong support system and positive role model to follow. The Job Training and Employment Opportunities allow youth to be better equipped for interviews, prepare resumes and learn proper etiquette. Other services provided are mentoring programs, alternative sentencing programs, and school and park safety.
Challenges that you predict that the program may face & recommendations to overcome the challenges Despite RACE being a successful and well respected organization, there is still room for improvement.
The RACE program would be more effective if they attempted to reach out to the parents. According to Zlokovic (2002), studies point out the complex problems that children are faced with and explain that the source of this problem is the parents' unfulfilled goals. By meeting and spending time with the parents, if possible, the organization will be able to understand the child more. RACE needs to find out what exactly makes the child “at-risk”. The child may be of a single parent home, poor economic status or victim of trauma. RACE should offer classes to aid parents or any adult who needs help in those areas. By reaching out, they may be able to stop or change some behaviors or actions that go down inside the home of the youth. If the organization and parents join together, it would benefit the family
overall.
Conclusion
“Relationship” is a term that, because it is so common, we often overlook the complexity of its meaning and of the people that comprise it. For most children, the basic self-concept of who they are is dependent on their relationship with their parents. So, what happens when a parent or even both decides to relinquish their responsibility, and leave their child with huge questions about their identity and worth? The child turns to the streets for answers. Fortunately, organizations like RACE are dedicated in making positive changes to people’s lives by inspiring and training individuals to reclaim and restore their communities.