College Admissions

With college application due dates coming up soon, if not already passed, students are required to take the college entrance exams, whether it be the ACT or SAT. The SAT is becoming the standard test, although some schools still require the ACT to be taken. They are essentially testing the same knowledge only different in structure. Having took both I prefer the ACT simply because I like to do all my math at once, then reading and writing. With the SAT, you have several "mini-tests" and they rotate subjects. Both are timed and proctored by approved facilitators.

For those interested in test prep, there are many classes offered to help prepare for the exam. The Dream Project (previous post), offers this preparation for a minimal fee, if not for free. For those not involved with The Dream Project, you can purchase textbooks and study yourself or a class that may include books and practice exams can be used as well.

Here are couple different products used for preparing for the SAT and ACT and for cheap prices might I add. Good Luck!

Empowered Youth Miami

Having personally worked with the found Colleen Adams, I will definitely vouch for this program because they do extraordinary work with kids from tough backgrounds. Being a U of Miami alum, I had to show support to the work being done in South Florida. Here is summary of what Empowered Youth is all about:

"The Empowered Youth Neighborhood Program serves at-risk boys between the ages of 13 and 18 yrs of age in Miami FL.  Most of the boys in our program are court-ordered or exhibiting at-risk behaviors that predict their imminent involvement with the Juvenile Justice system. 

Our Empowered Youth Neighborhood Program (considered an intervention/diversion program by the Juvenile Justice system) offers the DJJ approved Botvin Life Skills curriculum, mentors, tutors, family meetings, accompany the boys to court and school, and do everything in our power to provide the youth with the support, resources and opportunity they need to be successful.

Our Empowered Youth Neighborhood Program is a 501c3, and we also founded a Limited Liability Company called Empowered Youth Entrepreneurs to create jobs for our students and graduates.  I discovered that we cannot truly help these youth until we not only give them hope, but also entrepreneurial skills and jobs so they can make their own legal money and create a better future for themselves.

Our first business is an urban apparel line called EY StreetWear that is designed and sold by our students and graduates.  The boys are Independent Partners in the business, and receive their own business cards and sample lines.  Profits are used to pay the boys, add new merchandise classifications to our line and also to create an educational fund for the boys so they can all live their dream...whether that is to go college, university, art or trade school. www.eystreetwear.com
I have attached an article that was recently published in the Miami Herald about our program and new business, EY StreetWear (the name was recently revised because we want to sell our brand internationally and wanted to avoid any trademark challenges). http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/06/2433363/at-risk-youths-find-the-right.html
I am also including the mention we got in the Sunday Herald as a result of our participation in the Fatherhood Conference at the University of Miami:  http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/23/2468090/at-event-tales-of-life-with-no.html
The boys in our program also produced a video about the new business which made it to the top 10 of the recent Classy Awards.  Here is the link to Achievement Page (once again, note name change!): http://www.stayclassy.org/stories/at-risk-youth-design-a-successful-future

 We have also recently established a relationship with the School of Business Communications at the University of Miami whereby the UM students themselves will create and teach a series of classes on entrepreneurism to our EYN graduates.  The series will conclude with graduates receiving a Certificate of Completion for the course at a networking session where the boys will get a chance to practice their newly-acquired skills.

In addition to EY StreetWear, we are also employing boys through a new division called EY YouthPower, where they are paid for hourly wage jobs that keep them earning money legally as well as learning responsibility.  In addition we are also working to open a chain of pizzerias which will replicate the EY StreetWear Independent Partner model and allow the boys to learn small business ownership skills.

My vision is to provide a process, structure and support system that empowers change through our Empowered Youth Neighborhood Programs and then to offer our EYN students and graduates the opportunity to earn legal money, learn entrepreneurial skills and get an education if that is their goal and dream.   Opportunity is the pathway out of the hood...and Empowered Youth is committed to giving our inner-city youth that opportunity.

The U.S. State Department is also including Empowered Youth/Empowered Youth Entrepreneurs in an upcoming documentary they are doing for Panama about progressive programs in the United States who are working to prevent youth violence.

These boys can then go back into their communities as Ambassadors of Change, positive role models, better fathers, husbands successful entrepreneurs and businessmen.  It is THEY who can truly create change in their communities, from which we will all benefit.

These boys are smart, talented and can make a great contribution to society and their community if we give them the support and resources they need to be successful.

Our goal is to be sure these boys have the support they need to be able to change the path of their lives, and to have a future.  I so hope you and the other guys will find the time to come and hang out with us, either at the program tonight or playing football on Saturday.  The boys so need men such as yourselves in their lives.  It makes such a huge difference...you really do save lives just by showing up.  " - Colleen Adams

A little long, but it gives great detail about Ms. Adams is doing for these youth and the impact she has had on their lives. The EY Street wear has been a great success for the young men. Even the likes of Dwayne Wade has purchased a t-shirt!

The Dream Project

This college-prep program is close to my heart because I was apart of it and helped me immensely while going through the college application process. The Dream Project is group of U of Washington students that reaches out to low-income and first generation students who are looking to go to college. It starts around your sophomore or junior year and have weekly meetings to keep you on track with classes, application deadlines, etc. They offer FREE SAT prep to those who qualify as well as other services. We also took a trip up to the campus and spent a day with a student, seeing what it's like for a day in the life of a college student. I was able to speak with Admission officers and have them help me write my application essay! The people I met along the way while involved with the Dream Project were indescribable in terms of how much they helped me.


**I suggest this to all Seattle area students looking to receive an education beyond high school. Being involved in this program does not mean they only help you to apply for UW, it is for any school. I ended up going to U of Miami and they helped me with that application as well!

Here is the link to their website : The Dream Project

Youth Programs in the Seattle Area

Here is the link to the City of Seattle website for youth. There are several different programs, organizations to join and a separate site just for teens. There are tons of things to do around the Seattle area for all backgrounds, cultures and interests! Anything from dance, aviation and gardening to technology, sports and cultural museums. Here is a list of some of the programs that are listed:

• Teen Website
• Art and Cultural Organizations for youth
• Youth sports 
• Summer programs
• Youth camps offered
• Employment opportunities
• Libraries
• Festivals
• Bored...? List of fun weekend events to check out with friends!
• Support Services
• Homework Help offered by Seattle Public Libraries

Here is the link once again...please check it out! Seattle Youth Website

Overcoming Black Stereotypes in Education

GREAT VIDEO! This CNN video takes a more in depth look at stereotypes black students go through. What I like about this video is how these students realize their potential because somebody invested time and effort to help them succeed. These kids went from failing high school to planning for college!

Via Youtube and CNN Student News

Advocating for Youth Enrichment

Here's an introductory video of how important our Youth are and why we need to help them as much as possible. Enjoy!

Via Youtube

About The Editor

My name is Ryan Quigtar and I am a recent graduate and basketball player at the University of Miami. Over the years, I have received support from several different sources. Family, friends, teachers, coaches and the Boy's and Girl's Club (Rainier Vista branch) have all contributed to the person I am now. Because of this, it is my belief that youth need support, from someone who cares and will invest time with them to help them with life's challenges. I know that I would not be where I am now without the support I received and I feel it is my turn to give back. 
I am looking to start a non-profit that will focus on youth enrichment as well as offer parent support. These services include mentorship, academic tutoring, health & wellness programs, sports and art programs. In addition there will be key community figures to come in and speak to these youth, inspiring them to be great. Parent services will include a psychiatrist, someone who will listen to their problems because that is usually where the problem starts, in the home. Parents may be overwhelmed by working extreme hours, not giving their kids the attention and guidance they need. That is where our organization will step in and be the guiding figure the children need. So many kids fall victim to the street life because they have nothing else to occupy their time. By offering these different activities and developing a genuine relationship with our youth, we aspire to make a difference in each and every child's life!

**With this blog, I hope to raise awareness for youth enrichment, providing different articles and links to other blogs/websites that are also advocates of youth. We must give back and help our youth because they are the future!