Gentlemen By Choice Community Development Corporation

THE MISSION OF GENTLEMEN BY CHOICE IS TO DEVELOP TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY THROUGH LEADERSHIP, IMAGE, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ETIQUETTE (L.I.F.E.) TRAINING TO AT RISK YOUTH. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE IMPLICATION OF EVIDENCED BASED CURRICULUM AND COLLABORATION WITH SEVERAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: TY'S PLACE, GBC, TEACHING AND UNITING LADIES TO INSPIRE POSITIVE SUCCESS (T.U.L.I.P.S.), SAVE OUR SONS (S.O.S.) AND CARE COALITION.

A) YOUTH PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING: GENTLEMEN BY CHOICE (GBC) OFFER A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM AIMED AT EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE AREAS OF LEADERSHIP, IMAGE, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, AND ETIQUETTE (L.I.F.E.) SKILLS. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PROVIDING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION SERVICES TO YOUTH IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. OVER A SIX-MONTH PERIOD, GBC PROVIDED 3,520 CONTACT HOURS TO 210 4TH AND 5TH ELEMENTARY-AGED YOUTH THROUGH THEIR YOUTH PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM PROVIDED A TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR YOUTH, HELPING THEM DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING, EMPATHY, COLLABORATION, AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS. ALL YOUTH RECEIVED BUSINESS ATTIRE CONSISTING OF SHIRTS, PANTS, SKIRTS, AND TOILETRY KITS FILLED WITH THE APPROPRIATE ITEMS. THE PROGRAM INCLUDED A FINE DINING-LIKE EXPERIENCE AT A LOCAL DINING FACILITY, AS WELL AS GBC'S ANNUAL BLACK AND WHITE TIE GALA, WHICH WAS ATTENDED BY PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, THEIR FAMILIES, LOCAL LEADERS, AND SCHOOL FACULTY. THE PROGRAM EXPERIENCED A 94% COMPLETION RATE, WHICH DEMONSTRATES THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM IN ACHIEVING ITS OBJECTIVES. IN THE YOUTH PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP MENTORING SESSIONS WITH TRAINED MENTORS WHO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT. THESE SESSIONS ALLOW YOUTH TO DISCUSS THEIR PERSONAL GOALS AND CHALLENGES IN A SAFE AND NON-JUDGMENTAL ENVIRONMENT, AND WORK WITH MENTORS TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS. IN ADDITION TO INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS, PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN GROUP ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS TEAM-BUILDING EXERCISES AND LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS, WHICH HELP TO BUILD SOCIAL SKILLS AND STRENGTHEN PEER RELATIONSHIPS.

B) EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES: HOME SCHOOLING PROGRAM: GBC OPERATED A LEARNING CENTER THAT PROVIDED A CUSTOMIZED LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT TAILORED TO MEET THE SPECIFIC NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF THE CHILD, A FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE, INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION, A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, AND PERSONALIZED PACE. THE EDUCATION INITIATIVE PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO 22 ELEMENTARY STUDENTS DAILY. THE PROGRAM SERVED AS A SAFE HAVEN AND LEARNING INSTITUTION FOR FAMILIES THAT OPTED OUT OF HAVING THEIR CHILD RETURN TO SCHOOL DUE TO COVID-19 REASONS. THE SMALLER CLASS SIZES AND DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH TEACHERS SERVED AS A CATALYST FOR ACADEMIC PROFICIENCY RECOVERY AND IMPROVEMENT FOR STUDENTS CONSIDERED TO BE UNDERPERFORMING. THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS DEMONSTRATED SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN READING AND MATHEMATICAL DISCIPLINES. TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL, GBC LAUNCHED A SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTED ACADEMIC PROFICIENCY LOSS AND RECOVERY CREATED BY THE SUMMER BREAK. STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM FOR SIX WEEKS, FIVE DAYS A WEEK, FOR SEVEN HOURS A DAY. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS SHOWED AN OVERALL ACADEMIC INCREASE BY 10%, WHICH INDICATES THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM IN ACHIEVING ITS OBJECTIVES.

C) GENTLEMEN BY CHOICE/TY'S PLACE - A SAFE SPACE FOR TEENS: GBC OPERATES TWO FACILITIES IN THE HEART OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. BOTH FACILITIES PROVIDED OVER 2,400 SQ. FT OF SPACE FOR PROGRAM AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. GBC HOSTED A FALL FESTIVAL, A COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS EVENT, AND A HEALTH FAIR SERVING MORE THAN 1,000 YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES. THESE EVENTS PROVIDE A SAFE AND ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, PROMOTING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THE SUCCESS OF THESE EVENTS AND THE POSITIVE IMPACT THEY HAVE HAD ON THE COMMUNITY IS A TESTAMENT TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GBC'S PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES. HAVING TWO LOCATIONS ALLOWS FOR MORE WIDESPREAD ACCESS TO THE PROGRAM AND ITS RESOURCES. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WHERE RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES MAY BE LIMITED. BY HAVING MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, THE PROGRAM CAN REACH A LARGER NUMBER OF YOUTH AND FAMILIES AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SUCCEED. ADDITIONALLY, TWO LOCATIONS ALLOW FOR A MORE TAILORED APPROACH TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. EACH LOCATION MAY SERVE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WITH UNIQUE NEEDS AND CHALLENGES. BY HAVING MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, GENTLEMEN BY CHOICE AND LADIES BY CHOICE CAN PROVIDE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT ARE TAILORED TO THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF EACH COMMUNITY, ENSURING THAT YOUTH RECEIVE THE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.