High School
After School
Much like our junior high program, the high school program offers kids the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty in their lives and families by having an even greater focus on job security and higher education.
Shepherd works very closely with his teens to ensure that they are college bound. In the spring of 2011, for example, we had eight kids graduate from high school and six out of those eight kids will be heading to college in the fall.
The first objective for the teens at Shepherd Community is to graduate high school. Homework time is a very important time for these students. Without good grades they cannot graduate or go on to higher education gaining self sufficiency in a world where college degrees are essential for the best job opportunities. In order for ALL students to succeed in our program, we need tutors for one-on-one mentoring for the students who need extra help. We also need volunteers who can be leaders to lead clubs and activities with a team mindset.
Once homework is complete they have the following activities to reward them for their academic hard work:
- Arts
- Photography
- Music
- Sports
- Free Time
- Cooking lessons
On Wednesdays the juniors and seniors meet for college prep. The students work with Shepherd staff and volunteers to do college research, scholarship search, SAT/ACT prep, as well as guidance, college expectations, and the dos/don’ts of collegiate life.
This is where the cycle of poverty is broken for one individual, their future family, and, we hope, the entire the Near Eastside of Indianapolis. This is what gets us excited while working at Shepherd Community Center. It brings us joy when we get to see Christ redeem a broken life or a broken family.
Summer EXCEL Program
Unlike "day camps", Summer EXCEL is very career and college focused, but like other day camps our high school students have a blast! They meet Monday through Friday and enjoy things like:
- Educational Adventure-- one-week trip with the high school group to a city or state where they can learn about a point of interest.
- Camptown-Wilderness Adventure Group that takes the kids on an overnight camping trip, a day hike, and a canoeing trip while teaching them team building and positive character traits.
- Swimming once a week.
- Two days a week they visit either a college or a business. Eight colleges are visited over the summer.
- Two days a week they also participate in a curriculum that offers a mock job hunt, interview, and salary which they must budget. This program is offered by local retired business professionals and gives kids real insight to the “real” business world.
- One day a week a financial class is offered and taught by local bankers.
Writing skills are a must for anyone to succeed. Shepherd staff and volunteers require all students to write an essay on one of the trips or activities that the kids participate in throughout the summer.
A strong work ethic and the ability to manage money is also important for any young adult. Therefore, the kids work eight hours a week and then deposit a portion of their earning into a savings account.
It’s about their future, it’s about self-sufficiency, it’s about breaking the cycle of poverty, but most importantly it’s about these wonderful kids who now have a bright future because of Shepherd.
For more information on our high school programs, please contact:
Colby Grindean
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