|
 The Don Bosco Center is an outreach program of the Youth Apostles Institute that seeks to help Hispanic middle schoolers in Manassas, Va. The Center provides an integrated program of academic
support and reinforcement, faith formation, and character development, which
incorporates responsible and healthy recreational activities during the week.
Other activities include family-based gatherings or outings that enrich parental involvement and formation.
The Center's activities are aimed at achieving the following goals:
- The children and their families will
value their family, faith, and culture as important structures that form
the basis for sound decision-making;
- The participants will form a positive self-concept through
mentoring, LifeSkills curricula and other talks;
- Participants will learn how to
develop positive relationships with peers and authority figures;
- The parents of the
participants will become more involved in the life and education of their
children.
 The Center, located in the Georgetown South Community Center in Manassas, opened its doors in March 2005 and continues to meet regularly on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays of each week from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. "Family Day" takes place one Saturday a month and is an opportunity for the kids to have food and fun in a safe environment while the parents meet with the program director, Fr. Ramón Dominguez, YA. Our summer program varies in its hours providing two or
three different sessions to allow for summer school, family vacations, and other
activities.
The
Don Bosco Center
provides an accessible, safe, and nurturing environment for youth who may be "at-risk" for violent or gang related involvement. While it is open to all youth generally from
grades 5 through 8, it is focused on serving Hispanic families whose parents typically
work multiple jobs and may be far
removed from their traditional support structures. As a result, some program elements
(particularly for the parents) are offered bilingually or solely in Spanish. The program encourages and strengthens family
support and involvement in the context of the Catholic faith and in coordination
with the local church.
For more information, contact
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
, YA, Program Director, or
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
, Assistant Program Director
If you would like to volunteer as a mentor for the young people served by the Don Bosco Center, please contact Fr. Ramón. The center needs adults and teens in their ninth grade year or above. By volunteering even once a week, you can make a significant difference in the lives of these kids and their families.
|