Who We Serve » People Reaching Out

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Drug Free. Dream Big. People Reaching Out has developed and implemented programs based on scientific research and proven prevention strategies since 1981. Our mission is to create a safe, drug-free community for youth in the Sacramento metropolitan area through programs that will foster the development of positive self-esteem and opportunities for personal growth.

Programs include youth-to-youth mentoring, youth prevention education, youth led community coalitions, counseling for academic achievement, and parenting for prevention. People Reaching Out is partnered with five Sacramento area school districts (Elk Grove, Sacramento City, San Juan, Woodland Joint and Washington Unified School Districts) and serves more than 13,000 youth and families annually. 

Overview of Services:

Youth

• PRO After School/Club PRO Mentoring Programs: PRO After School is a youth mentoring program that builds positive relationships between high school and elementary school students through mentoring and prevention education. Club PRO focuses on building relationships between high school and middle school students. Students from a local high school and its partner elementary or middle school are matched and meet one-on-one after school where they participate in recreation, enrichment and substance abuse and violence prevention lessons. High school mentors also complete extensive trainings in mentoring, activity planning & leadership, decision making, goal setting, life skills, health & nutrition and financial literacy.
• PRO*MOTION Summer Camp: PRO's newest program provides support and opportunities for youth to develop healthy habits and decision making skills through nutrition and prevention education and physical activities. High school and middle school students participate in a six week summer program where they engage in recreation, sports, healthy eating, cooking, small group discussion, arts & crafts, project creation and prevention skills education.
• PRO Hire: (program under construction!) PRO Hire provides qualified and motivated youth the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to enter the job market. PRO Hire provides employers with a pre-screened pool of youth that are trained in customer services and job entry skills.
  
  

 Family

• Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapist Interns and Trainees provide services through individual and family therapy in Yolo County.
• Parent-Teen Series: The Parent-Teen Series is for parents and teens to acquire skills and techniques to build a stronger relationship and learn to cope with the challenges of the adolescent years. Topics include: effective discipline, healthy communication, anger management, drug and alcohol prevention and use, boundaries and parenting styles.
• Parenting for Prevention: Offered to any group that would like to open a discussion about how parents can effectively impact the prevention of drugs or alcohol use by teens. Those who attend will also acquire some tools and techniques. The presentation can be held in any forum that has a time allowance of 30 - 60 minutes.
  
  

Community

• Community Coalitions: People Reaching Out serves as a lead agency for community-based coalitions including teens, parents, educators, law enforcement, and community members who share the common goals of creating a safe and drug free community. PRO is currently a partner and coordinator of the Valley Hi Youth and Adult Coalition (VHYAC) that brings together youth and adults to address key health and safety issues. The coalition efforts are focused on creating youth leaders and champions for drug free communities.
• Students Reaching Out (SRO): High school and middle school students are recruited and join in youth-led prevention councils where they design environmental and media campaigns aimed at addressing Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) issues. Students are trained in the areas of environmental substance abuse prevention, media advocacy, social marketing, and community mobilizing. Youth gain leadership skills in planning and implementing effective prevention strategies.
• Volunteer Recruitment: PRO collaborates with CSU Sacramento Community Engagement Center to provide service learning opportunities for students across more than six majors.
• Community Awareness: PRO works to raise awareness about youth substance use and violence through community wide events and presentations to local organizations and businesses.

Peoplereachingout.org