Youth Services
(419) 691-1429

Bridges

The Bridges program is an option to suspension for students in the 4th through 6th grades who attend Toledo Public Schools in one of the seven feeder elementary schools in East Toledo.  Students are referred by their principal or dean.  Bridges provides transportation to and from the East Toledo Family Center on program days and is held during regular school hours.  Students are on restricted privileges and are engaged in lessons designed to teach them how to change their behavior.  Students are also required to work on their assigned school work during their time in Bridges.  At the end of the two-day program, students are given a test and rated on their behavior during the program.  One week after completing the program, the instructor visits the school for a follow-up interview with the student and their principal or dean.

ETFC  Tutoring Program

Tutoring is a free program offered by the East Toledo Family Center and is held at the Densmore Building 1020 Varland Avenue.  The Phone number is 419.691-1429.  The contact person and coordinator is Jan Bissonette.  The program has been in operation for several years at various East Toledo locations.  It is a free tutoring service open to all students in the area.  All tutoring is one-on-one.  Our tutors are all volunteers, college students, Americorp people, high school and junior high students or other residents of the community.  They are trained and supervised by the coordinator.  The program operates four days a week, Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Each tutoring session lasts one hour.  The students are given help with homework, proficiency testing and/or help with reading and math skills.  Parents need to register their child.  No Transportation is available.

Outreach

Outreach workers act as supports for youth and families.  Outreach can be facilitated in many places from school, home and community to medical appointments and visits with other social service agencies.  Outreach workers conduct school and home visits to assess the individual and family capabilities.  A family service plan is put into place to assist the family in any way possible.  The family is also encouraged to set and achieve goals and continue striving for self-sufficiency with the ultimate goal being for the child or children to improve in school.  Families and youth are also encouraged and given opportunities to become more active in the East Toledo community.  By bringing families to the East Toledo Family Center and allowing them to see the many things that are here to support them. Our outreach programs serve hundreds of people each year.

Strictly Teens

Strictly Teens is an after school drop-in program for young people aged 12 to 18.  The program operates Tuesday through Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at St. Mark Church located at 611 Woodville Rd.  The overall goal of the program is to provide a positive environment which will encourage youth to do well in school, exhibit good character and become productive members of society.  Strictly Teens offers a gymnasium for basketball, volleyball and floor-hockey.  We also have a game room that includes a pool table, ping pong table, air-hockey, foosball table and more.  Some of the enrichment activities include a cooking class, a video club, art and ceramics classes, a choir, tutoring class, a leadership group and a weight-lifting class.

Saturday Option to Suspension

Saturday Option to Suspension is a program for elementary school students who have exhibited disruptive behavior, poor attendance or failure to follow directions at school.  Referred students report to the East Toledo Family Center on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. and attend programming until 11:00 a.m.  Parents are strongly encouraged to attend from 11:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.  Programming is designed to teach students to think through their behavior before acting.

Youth Opportunity Program

The Youth Opportunity Program is for teens 14-17 years old who meet the Lucas county WIA eligibility guidelines. The East Toledo Family Center is home to one of the 14 YOP sites throughout the city of Toledo all managed through the YMCA of Greater Toledo.  The YMCA provides tutoring twice a week, a life skills lesson once a week, after school snacks and a monthly all site event.  Teens who sign up for this program promise to make a commitment to improving their academic and social skills; as well as, exploring their vocational possibilities.  Engaging life skill classes and activities are continued throughout the summer months along with assistance in obtaining and maintaining part time employment.  All applicants are screened for eligibility then interviewed for one of the allotted 15 positions following a two week classroom trial period.  After being accepted into YOP the participant must provide all paperwork and documentation necessary for proof of eligibility.  A maximum stipend of $40.00 will be rewarded bi-weekly according to their attendance and academic performance.