Youth Empowerment Program
(formerly CASAstart)

The Youth Empowerment program provides the following services to every child enrolled in the program: social support, family services, education, after-school and summer activities, mentoring, and behavioral incentives. YEP staff is located at Sabbath Middle School and River Rouge High School. Youth meet with the YEP staff as needed throughout the week and they attend after school groups, mentoring, service learning events, or recreational events throughout the month. Youth are primarily referred from school personnel, police department, court, or a concerned parent. Approximately 30 youth participate in this program each year. YEP is primarily offered during the school year, but we offer enrichment activities throughout the summer at our community centers.

This program serves children 8-16 (and their families) who are at serious risk of addiction, academic failure, and entering the juvenile justice system. It brings together schools, law enforcement agencies and social service agencies to deliver essential services over the course of two years. To be eligible for YEP, youth must demonstrate at least two school risk factors, at least one family risk factor, and at least one personal risk factor. Risk factors include:

School Risk Factors

  • Poor grades
  • Enrollment in special education
  • Grade retention
  • Truancy
  • Chronic tardiness
  • Weapons or substance possession
  • Disruptive behavior
  • Repeated out-of-school suspension or expulsions

Family Risk Factors

  • Family violence
  • Child maltreatment
  • Chronic mental illness
  • A family member(s) involved with gangs and/or having criminal convictions
  • Drug use or sales
  • Expose the child to damaging behaviors

Personal Risk Factors

  • Suspected drug use or sales
  • Threats posed by an unsafe community
  • Past arrest or involvement in delinquent acts
  • Gang membership
  • Serious emotional disturbance
  • Pregnancy or parenthood
  • Being a victim of child maltreatment

For more information, please contact Sheri Coffman at 734-785-7705 x7044 or scoffman@guidance-center.org.