Youth Development & Success

Programs currently funded by Manatee County Children's Services to promote youth development and success, including out of school programs, alternative education, programs specifically for at-risk youth.

 

Alternative Education

Alternative Path to Success

Program provides quality educational programming for struggling and at-risk students who have been unsuccessful in traditional schools.

The program offers a hands-on differentiated curriculum using DOE approved Plato Curriculum in math, social studies, reading, writing, science and through activities like civics, gardening, small engine repair, small business management, bike repair, active learning, project based learning, physical education, woodworking, virtual school, and more.

Eligibility

  • Manatee County resident
  • At-risk or special education student
  • Ages 5 through 17
  • Household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines

Phone: (941) 201-6994

Provider: Community Coalition for Children, d/b/a New Path Academy

Location: 2611 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL

Hours: August through May, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

 

AMIkids Manatee Prevention

Program provides gender-specific services to middle school boys ages 11-15. Due to the variety of adverse childhood experiences they are at higher risk for involvement with the juvenile system. 

Services also include a targeted approach to individual behavior management, point card, token economy, and rank systems inspire appropriate decision-making and academic success.

Eligibility

  • Manatee County resident
  • Male
  • Ages 11-15
  • Youth displaying high risk factors

Phone: (941) 751-7027

Provider: AMIkids Manatee 

Location: 6413 9th St E Bradenton, Fl 34203

Hours:

  • Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4pm

Website: https://www.amikids.org/programs-and-services/programs/amikids-manatee/story/about

Girls Alternative Program for Success (GAPS)

Program provides teen pregnancy prevention and individual development curriculum. Activities include individual/group intervention and behavior modification through incentive system.

Classes are provided on the topics of health and sexuality, cultural awareness and sensitivity, conflict resolution, life management skills, and career planning.

  • Elementary School GAPS is offered at the East Bradenton Location (941) 747-3337
    • JFG’s K-5th grade elementary is an AcademicBehavior, and Character building program tailored especially for your daughter. Small class sizes, vocabulary-rich curriculum, immersive STEM studies, and differentiated instruction support the unique strengths and needs of every girl.
  • Middle School GAPS is offered at the Palmetto Location (941) 722-8988
    • Just for Girls has a program tailored especially for your daughter. Our programming focuses on the needs of adolescent girls. Girls in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade may be eligible to be a part of our specialized program.  JFG Middle curriculum includes comprehensive prevention, redirection, and resilience practices designed to promote empathy, responsibility, compassion, and goal achievement. At JFG Middle, girls turn F’s into A’s and become the leaders and mentors they are meant to be.

Eligibility

  • Female
  • Manatee County resident
  • Ages 11-16 years

Phone:

  • Main Office (941) 251-4912
  • East Bradenton Location (941) 747-3337
  • Palmetto Location (941) 722-8988

Provider: Just for Girls, Inc.

Location: 1011 21st Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 

Hours: Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday 9:40am-4pm and Wednesday 9:40am-2:10pm.

Website: www.myjfg.org

 

Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Program (PACE)

Program provides girls and young women with a comprehensive program that provides education and related services to prevent teenage pregnancy.

Services also include an opportunity for a better future through girls leadership council, goal setting and ongoing process monitoring, academic education, counseling and mental Health services, service learning, and career preparation in an alternative school setting.

A bilingual counselor is available to assist Spanish speaking students and family members with language barrier issues as needed.

Eligibility

  • Manatee County resident
  • Middle and high school students of PACE
  • Ages 11-17 years

Phone: (941) 751-4566

Provider: Pace Center for Girls

Location: 4030 Manatee Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205

Hours: School Days: Monday-Friday 8am-4pm; Saturday and Sunday for field trips and special events.

Website: www.pacecenter.org/Manatee

 

MENTORING (EDUCATION, PREVENTION & INTERVENTION)

C.E.R.T.A.I.N (Truancy Prevention/Intervention)

Program works with students to identify barriers to school attendance and help the youth and family to address those barriers to increase school attendance and increase opportunities for school success.

Each student is provided a comprehensive assessment and individualized service plan developed with the youth and their family, allowing case managers to assist in accessing needed services and the therapist to assist in resolving barriers to regular school attendance and success.

Eligibility

  • Truant youth, ages 5-17
  • Must be referred by Manatee County School District based on their pattern of chronic truancy per school records

Phone: (941) 741-3575

Provider: Family Resources, Inc.

Location: 361 6th Avenue West, Bradenton 1001 9th Avenue West, Bradenton

Hours: Monday – Friday; 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Website: www.family-resources.org

Mentoring Matters

Program provides mentoring and student support program begins as early as 6th grade and as late as 9th grade for targeted students, and continues each year until the student graduates from high school. The program is delivered in weekly mentoring sessions for at least 30 minutes per week, virtually or on school property as well as college readiness workshops throughout the school year. Each scholar is also required to meet with their college readiness coach a minimum of 2 sessions per school year in 6-10 grade and a minimum of 4 sessions per year in grades 11 and 12.

Services also include weekly mentoring sessions offering guidance, support and resources for academic success. 

Eligibility: 

  • Manatee County Resident
  • Ages 9-17 years old

Phone: (941) 713-4454

Provider: Take Stock in Children of Manatee County Inc

Location: Middle and High Schools in Manatee County, virtual classes as needed.

Hours: Middle Schools: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm, High Schools: Monday-Friday 7:30am-2:25pm

Website: https://manateetakestock.org/

One to One Mentoring

 Program provides screened and trained volunteers to mentor children referred to Big Brothers Big Sisters by school counselors, teachers, social workers, and after school program personnel. The volunteer and child meet for one hour every week at the school or after school program site.

Activities vary according to the needs and interests of the child. Goals are established which are individualized for each child to ensure that the match relationship will enhance the quality of life for the child. The volunteer is not permitted to transport the child from the site.

Eligibility

  • Manatee County resident
  • Ages 6-17 years

Phone: (941) 746-7000

Provider: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Inc.

Location: Various schools and after school program sites

Hours: School Days: Mon-Fri during and after school program operation hours

Website: www.bbbssun.org

Stepping Up To Success

Program provides the following:
  • Before school, after school, and out-of-school programs are open to school-age girls 5-17 at an average cost of $72 per week.  Scholarships are available to qualifying families, and include transportation to and from school as well as breakfast and snack programs.  Girls engage in academic enrichment, skill-building, creative arts, positive social experiences, health and wellness, and develop empathy, resilience, and leadership qualities in a structured, supportive, and inclusive environment. 
  • Before School (Monday-Friday 6:30am-9:00am at the following locations: East Bradenton, West Bradenton, and Palmetto)
  • After School ( Monday-Friday 2:00pm-6:00pm at the following locations: East Bradenton, West Bradenton, and Palmetto) 
  • Summer and School Break focuses on creating thriving learning environments for our students to help each girl excel in their academic abilities. This approach allows us to create fun, interactive, and engaging strategies which include: STEM curriculum, academic enrichment, hands-on activities, and service-learning initiatives to maximize the academic development and personal growth of young girls with unlimited potential.  Offered Monday-Friday 6:30am-6:00pm at the following locations: East Bradenton, West Bradenton, and Palmetto). 
  • Scholastic Saturdays are offered on select Saturdays at the East Bradenton Location from 10am – 1pm.  Educational enrichment and homework help is offered on 24-29 select Scholastic Saturdays throughout the school year (excluding holiday and in-service weekends) from 10am-1pm. These 3-hour sessions are customized according to identified student needs and prioritize grade level reading, learning recovery, and STEM components. Scholastic Saturdays are open to any school-age girl, and are designed to alleviate barriers to early academic success and make learning fun!
Services also include comprehensive academic, behavioral, and character development content and curriculum from 6:30am to 6:00pm Monday-Friday and on select Scholastic Saturdays from 10am-1pm. 

Eligibility: 
  • Manatee County Resident 
  • Girls ages 5-17 years old
Phone: 
  • Main Office (941) 251-4912
  • West Bradenton (941) 792-2137
  • East Bradenton (941) 747-3337
  • Palmetto Center (941) 722-8988

Provider: Just for Girls

Location:

  • West Bradenton Leadership and Learning Center: 3809 59th St W Bradenton, Fl
  • East Bradenton Leadership and Learning Center: 1011 21st St Bradenton, Fl
  • North Palmetto Leadership and Learning Center: 1500 10th St W Palmetto, Fl

Hours: Before School: Monday-Friday 6:30am-9am, After School: Monday-Friday 2pm-6pm and some scheduled Saturday's

Website: https://myjfg.org/out-of-school-time/

Success4Life Training

Program provides training and mentoring designed to encourage high-risk teens to manage their behavior and gain the skills necessary to be successful in life. The program uses activities-based learning specially designed to engage teens through soft-skill career training and character building, which is designed around an understanding of the factors that put them in situations susceptible for crime, violence, and substance abuse.

Eligibility

  • Manatee County resident
  • Ages 13 through 17 years
  • At high risk for juvenile delinquency or have a history of juvenile delinquency

Phone: (941) 548-7639

Provider: Replay Outreach

Location: 410 4th Avenue East, Bradenton

Hours:

  • School Year: Tuesday – Thursday, after school – 5:30 p.m.
  • Summer: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., and other times as needed

Website: www.replayoutreach.org

 

 

Out of School Programs

B.A.S.E (Before and After School Summer Enrichment)

Program offers activities for before school, after school and summer care activities. Activities include technology enhancement, educational opportunities, mentoring, field trips, recreational activities, skill development, and character building.

Eligibility

  • Manatee County resident
  • Ages 5-17 years

Phone: (941) 746-7470

Provider: United Community Centers, Inc.

Location: 922 24th Street East, Bradenton

Hours:

  • School Days: Monday-Friday before school, 6:30-8am and Monday-Friday after school-6pm.
  • Summer: Monday-Friday 6:30am-6pm.

Website: uccfl.org

Before School, After School & Camp Myakka (MAC)

Program offers before, after school and summer care activities. Activities include arts and crafts, recreational play, drug prevention classes, homework assistance, and self-esteem activities. During summer program includes field trips to fun and educational locations.

Eligibility

  • Manatee County resident
  • Ages 5-17 years

Phone: (941) 322-8114

Provider: Myakka City Community Center

Location: 10070 Wachula Road, Myakka City, FL

Hours:

  • School Days: Monday-Friday 6am-8am and school dismissal - 6pm.
  • Summer: Monday-Friday 6am-6pm.

Website: None available

Foundation for Excellence

Program offers before, after school and summer care activities. Activities include educational, recreational and social activities. Transportation provided to and from the center to local schools.

Activities include: child care, snack, socialization, arts and crafts, cooking, as well as basic education and remedial skills in reading, writing and math at age appropriate levels in the computer lab.

Eligibility

  • Manatee County resident
  • Ages 5-12 years

Phone: (941) 722-0783

Provider: Palmetto Youth Center

Location: 501 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL

Hours:

  • School Days: Monday-Friday 6:30am - 8:30am & 3:30pm-6pm.
  • Non-School & Summer: Monday-Friday 6:30am-6pm.

Website: palmettoyouthcenter.net

 

Great Futures Start Here

Program offers after school and summer care activities. Activities include youth development in five core areas: character and leadership, education and career development, health and life skills, sports and fitness, and arts, as well as transportation services from local schools.

Scholarships are available based on Income Eligibility Guidelines.

Eligibility

  • Manatee County resident
  • Ages 5-12

Phone: (941) 761-2582

Provider: Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County, Inc.

Location:

  • DeSoto Club - 5231 34th St W, Bradenton
  • Palmetto Club -1600 10th St W,
  • Palmetto Daughtrey Elementary
  • Rogers Garden Elementary
  • Oneco Elementary

Hours:

  • School Days: Monday-Friday after school to 6pm.
  • Non-School and Summer Days: Monday-Friday 7am- 6pm.

Website: bgcmanatee.org

Iron Sharpening Iron

Program provides a series of activities including tutoring, job mentoring, career preparation, creative self-expression and classes for family life and sex education.

Eligibility

  • Manatee County resident
  • Ages 7-17 years

Phone: (941) 722-5696

Provider: Educational Consultants Consortium

Location:

  • Anna Gayle Resource Center, 2112 3rd Avenue East, Palmetto
  • Kelly Brown Career Development Resource Lighthouse, 1701 3rd Ave E, Palmetto

Hours: Varies

Website: www.servingeverychild.com

 

Teen Programs

Healthy Teens

Focused on providing middle- and high-school teenagers with peer-led information sessions to help them make informed choices about their physical, emotional and mental health and wellbeing. The program provides an opportunity for youth to gain important skills in leadership, communication, presentation, team-work and more, by training to become health educators in their community.


Eligibility

  • High school and college students
  • Ages 14 to 19

Phone: (941) 867-0252

Provider: Healthy Teens Coalition

Location: Various

Hours: Various

Website:  healthyteensmanatee.com

Helping Young People Excel (HYPE)

Program provides an innovative experience for teens by addressing key needs to promote positive youth development through academics, life skills, career development, work-readiness and recreation.

Academics activities, using Stride Academy software, provide learning opportunities and engagement in science, technology, engineering and math areas (STEM). Life skills curriculum addresses effective communication, self-awareness, self-esteem, social etiquette, health and nutrition, substance abuse prevention, financial literacy, social skills and home economics.

Also includes summer career exploration and work-based learning opportunities.

Eligibility

  • Manatee County resident
  • Ages 13-17

Phone: (941) 722-0783

Provider: Palmetto Youth Center, Inc.

Location: 501 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL

Hours:

  • School Year: Monday-Thursday, 4-7 p.m.
  • Summer: June & July only, Monday-Thursday, 2-7 p.m.; Fridays – Sundays, as scheduled for special events and activities

Website: www.palmettoyouthcenter.net

 

Teen Program - The Club, Ages 13-17

Program provides a teen program that includes life skills through the Money Matters curriculum; career and education pathing through the Diplomas to Degrees curriculum; recreation and leisure activities; and community outreach.

Eligibility

  • Manatee County residents
  • Ages 13-17
  • Deemed at-risk

Phone: (941) 761-2582

Provider: Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee

Location:

  • DeSoto Club, 5231 34th St. West, Bradenton
  • Palmetto Club, 1600 10th St. West, Palmetto

Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – 6-9 p.m.

Website: www.bgcmanatee.org