Launch Pad The Center

IGNITING HOPE IN DISADVANTAGE YOUTH AND INDIVIDUALS BY REACHING, EQUIPPING AND PROPELLING THEM TO DISCOVER AND FULFILL THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL, LAUNCH PAD THE CENTER, MOBILIZES PARTNERSHIPS WITH BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION. THE FIVE THINGS DONE FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION ARE: 1. CONNECT TO STRENGHTEN AND SUPPORT THE INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY UNIT; 2. SERVE INDIVIDUAL'S BASIC NEEDS; 3. PROVIDE THE EDUCATIONAL, FINANCIAL, VOCATIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL EDUCATION TO BECOME A PRODUCTIVE AND WELL REOUNDED INDIVIDUAL; 4. TEACH AND MODEL INTEGRITY AND GOOD CHARACTER; AND 5. CREATE SELF-SUFFICIENCY WITH PROVIDING THE TOOLS FOR PEOPLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM-PROVIDES CHARACTER EDUCATION TEACHING STUDENTS THAT CORE VALUE ARE STEPPING STONES FOR PERSONAL SUCCESS. IT FOCUSES ON MENTORING AND MODELING, BY TEEACHING AND DEMONSTRATING LEADERSHIP AND OTHER ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE FINANCIAL LITERACY, LEADERSHIP, PROMOTING MENTAL STAMINA, CHALLENGE, COMPETITION, TECHNOLOGY, MENTORING, AND LIFE SKILLS. CHARACTER EDUCATION TEACHES STUDENTS THAT CORE VALUES ARE STEPPING-STONES FOR PERSONALSUCCESS. FINANCIAL LITERACY IS A KEY FOR EMPOWERMENT AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. LEADERSHIP IS A QUALITY THAT WILL MAKE THEM STAND- OUT. LIFE-SKILLS ARE ESSENTIAL IN EVERYTHING WE DO. LIVING A DRUG-FREE LIFESTYLE WILL ALLOW THEM TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR GOALS AND PERSONAL DREAMS. MENTORING - MODELING IS A POWERFUL TOOL TO SHOW THESE STUDENTS THAT DESPITE THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT, MAKING RIGHT CHOICES FOLLOWED BY HARD WORK WILL LEAD THEM TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS. LAUNCHPAD OFFERS THE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM TWICE PER WEEK ON THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS, SERVING 36 60 STUDENTS EVERY WEEK. TOTAL SERVED IN 2015 WAS 480 STUDENTS.

GLIMMER OF HOPE GRANT FOR STAFFING, MARKETING, STUDENT INCENTIVES, AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH- IS A WAY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS NEEDING SUPPORT. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE EMPOWERING UNDERSERVED FAMILIES AND HELPING BREAK THE CYCLE OF INTER-GENERATIONAL POVERTY THROUGH INNOVATIVE,EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN PLUS AIDING YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS IN OBTAINING HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED AND HELP PUT THEM ON A CAREER TRACK TO ATTEND TECHINCAL TRAINING OR POST SECONDARY EDUCATION. DURING 2020, THEY ALSO SUPPORTED MEALS AND ACTIVITIES FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OTHER GROUPS NEEDING ASSISTANCE DURING COVID.

LEADERSHIP-THE FOCUS IS ON TEACHING CRITICAL LIFE-SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. THE COURSE FOCUSES ON ACTIVITIES AND EXERCISES TO ENHANCE STUDENT LEADERSHIP. THE SKILLS TAUGHT INCLUDE MEETING SKILLS, GOAL SETTING, ORGANIZAITON SKILLS, BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM, PUBLIC RELATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING, TEAM BUILDING AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.