YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE!
Follow the steps in our How To Guide to setup your new online account.
MAPPING YOUR JOURNEY TO POST-SECONDARY SUCCESS
The YMCA Achievers program is a national college readiness program designed to help teens through academic support, career exploration, and mentoring. The Achievers program encourages teens to raise their academic standards and explore diverse college & career options. Teens also develop a positive sense of self, build character, and meet and interact with professionals who serve as role models to inspire them to greater heights. Meetings times, dates, and locations are determined by the school and their advisors.
OUR MISSION
The central purpose of the Y Achievers Program is to help teens establish and pursue high educational and career goals resulting in high school graduation and acceptance to an institution of higher learning or successful adoption of a vocation.
We target schools that have low graduation rates, few college and career readiness resources, and a large percentage of low-SES students. It is crucial that students, particularly in low-income areas, start thinking about their post-secondary options as early as possible so they can enter high school focused on long-term goals.
HOW TO ENROLL
Each teen enrolled in the Y Achievers program through a school club will be expected to attend two one-hour sessions per week for 31weeks. These meetings will be centered around the Overcoming Obstacles curriculum which teaches students the skills they need to achieve success. Each week, there are different lessons covering items such as interview techniques, conflict resolution, developing financial responsibility, visiting colleges, resume writing, completing financial aid applications, and stress management. In addition to these weekly meetings, students will have the opportunity to attend additional events such as a college fair and a college tour. These events will give students the opportunity to listen to guest speakers with experience on a variety of subjects.
The program cost is FREE.
Y Achievers is organized through individual schools that then partner with the YMCA. Click the button below to register your student:
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Click the button to access our 2021-2022 calendar (Events and dates are subject to change):
MEET OUR 2021-2022 Y AMBASSADOR:
JAMIE BOWERS
Hi! My name is Jamie Bowers. I am 17 years old and am currently in my senior year at Duncanville High School. I joined Y-Achievers as a sophomore and instantly fell in love with it. I have now been in the program at my high school for three years and can say that it's impacted my life tremendously. In my junior year, I served as our club Secretary and this year, I am the club's Vice President.
I have a passion for aiding those around me in reaching their full potential, and Y-Achievers has been the perfect avenue for me to do this. In addition to Y-Achievers, I have participated in another YMCA program, Youth and Government, along with being a Drum Major in the Duncanville High School Marching Band, participant in Duncanville High School Student Council, and an Education Awareness Committee Chair in our chapter of the Texas Association of Future Educators. I am beyond excited to allow being an Ambassador to widen my sphere of influence and help me reach more of my peers.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SENIOR NIGHT OUT @ MAIN EVENT
On February 17, 2022, Y Achievers will be having their Senior Night Out. This year, we will be going to Main Event for a night full of arcade games, bowling, pizza, and fun! Seniors might also get to take something special home. Keep an eye out for the ticket purchase link, rolling out soon!
MIDDLE SCHOOL TEEN SUMMIT
This March, we will be having our first Middle School Teen Summit, in partnership with Grand Prairie ISD. This will be a day for learning about college assessment tools, career pathways, study strategies, and being your own person. This summit is designed to prepare middle school students for high school life.
NATIONAL COLLEGE TOUR
This Spring Break, March 14-17, 2022, Y Achievers will be road tripping across the states to Atlanta, GA and visiting a multitude of colleges and universities there.
We will be visiting the following historic institutions: Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Emory University. We'll be staying at great hotels along the way!
This event will be open to High School Juniors only.
HIGH SCHOOL TEEN SUMMIT
On April 23rd, 2022, we will be having our High School Teen Summit at the University of North Texas- Dallas. Students will learn about the different career fields available, different life skills needed to succeed in life, and strategies to have a fulfilling college experience. The goal of this summit is to prepare high school students for a successful college experience and furthermore, a rewarding career path.
PAST EVENTS
BOSS UP: VIRTUAL CAREER EXPLORATION DAY
On October 9th, 2021, we partnered with the Houston Y Achievers program to bring our students a virtual career day filled with important speakers and entrepreneurs of all kinds. Students learned lessons on how to run their own business and essentials skills to have when being an entrepreneur.
Miss the career day? Want some tips on entrepreneurship skills? Watch Noggin Educational Foundation's video on Kid Entrepreneurship here.
VISIT TO TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
On Saturday, October 23, 2021, our seniors toured the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX. In addition to the tour, students took a lap through Frog Alley, observing TCU's homecoming activities and attended the TCU vs West Virginia football game. We even had some of our students up on the Jumbotron!
CONTACT US
Director:
Dr. Tonjia Grimble
Program Coordinator:
Caren Ayala
OUR PARTNERS:
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