Greene County students will access to extra support as they grow to independence.
New Opportunities, the local federally-designated Community Action Agency, was awarded a four year grant from the Iowa Department of Public Health to implement the Teen Outreach Program®, an evidence-based program that helps foster compassion and confidence in youngsters to seize opportunities for personal growth and civic commitment.
New Opportunities has partnered with the Greene County Community Schools to bring T.O.P. to select local youngsters in the Greene County school district.
Through this program, youngsters gain insights and skills they will need to navigate life transitions and move toward independence with supportive community relationships. The program matches curriculum with local hands-on service projects to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment. The grant only funds part-time staff to work with the youth and it was awarded in large part due to the tremendous community support in the form of letters, offers of volunteer and professional services, media, equipment, food and space donations.
“We wouldn’t have received this grant if not for the generosity, community spirit, and forward-thinking of Greene County residents” according to Teresa Lansman, New Opportunities’ Family Development coordinator.
The goal is to make the program sustainable. The T.O.P sustainability model invites families, businesses and other Greene County community members to become involved through volunteer time, as speakers or with donated items/services.
The T.O.P. learning model, over the past 38 years, has been shown to lower risk factors and barriers that prevent teens from reaching their potential.
New Opportunities thanked parents, local churches, schools, business and governmental leaders for embracing the concept which is a natural fit with other county-wide efforts to strengthen our community. For more information contact Peg Dohrer at 712-792-9266, Ext. 202 or pdohrer@newopp.org.
