Health and Life Skills The goal of this program area is to encourage young people to engage in positive behaviors to nurture their own well-being, set personal goals, and to become successful, self-sufficient adults. Program Examples Street SMART (Gang Prevention): The goal of Street SMART is to counteract the lures of gangs, violence and "street" influences on young adolescents ages 11-13. Building awareness and resistance skills, Street SMART teached young people how gangs work and how to resist being recruited, how to recognize and resolve conflicts peacefully and how to become positive peer helpers. SMART Moves (Drug Prevention, Alcohol Prevention and Teen PregnancyPrevention): This nationally recognized prevention program helps young people resist alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, as well as premature sexual activity. The program features interactive small group activities designed to increase participants' peer support, enhance their life skills, build their resiliency and strengthen their leadership skills. Teen Night: This year we are holding Teen Nights every week at the East Austin Club. On Teen Nights the club is open on Friday night till midnight to provide a positive place to be during hours when it is easy for young people to get into trouble. Around 150-200 teenagers attend each Teen Night. Kids Café (Daily Meals): Collaboration with the Capital Area Food Bank to provide balanced meals to Club members 3 days a week. Second Step (Violence and Bullying Prevention): Helps to teach youth how to deal with emotions and to resolve problems in a peaceful, non-violent manner. Other Program Examples Kids In Control (Kids Safety Program) Money Matters (Financial Management Program) AAS / Austin YMCA Swim Safe Program [back to top] [back to program categories]