The Choice Program at UMBC

We believe that young people thrive when they have access to supportive resources and are able to contribute to and connect with their communities.

The Choice Program at UMBC utilizes a community-based, family-centered approach in order to promote positive outcomes for young people and families in Maryland. Our AmeriCorps Members serve as advocates and work to connect families to self-identified, needed resources and reinforce a strengths-based, anti-racist, approach to youth development.

We engage in a collaborative process of service: where young people set goals for themselves and are supported by their Choice mentors along the way.

To us, youth development includes:

• being available to our youth consistently, often making visits to meet with them on a daily basis;
• using a strengths-based approach to promote positive self-image;
• using a holistic approach to honor every aspect of a person’s life;
• developing high expectations and holding youth accountable to their own progress on goals;
• forming a mentoring relationship that is built on trust and rapport;
• engaging with families and assisting as a communication link;
• fostering self-sufficiency by building life-skills;
• providing opportunities for meaningful engagement through structured after-school, weekend and summer activities, and job readiness training.

More info about The Choice Program can be found at choiceprograms.org