sons & daughters with destiny

The Academy is a youth oriented mentoring and leadership development program where youths between the ages of 13 - 16 receive empowerment workshops on such topics as: basic life skills, communication, leadership development, relationships, self-esteem, social etiquette and grooming and much more. This curriculum is designed to enrich the lives of youth by presenting a wholesome program that will prepare them for future leadership roles within the community and in their schools.

The Academy uses such methods as rap and panel discussions, the arts, skits, teambuilding exercises, team projects and other creative methods to present a positive approach to developing our youth. All youths, regardless of their backgrounds, are accepted into this program. However, they may be subject to an interview process. There is a fee to be admitted into this program. Youths accepted into the academy will have to participate in a designated community service project and complete our "Summer Boot Camp". After successful completion of the "Boot Camp" Session, youths will be qualified to continue with the other parts of our programs:

Boot Camp – Our “Boot Camp” which is either facilitated in the summer or fall is the first phase of our youth leadership development session and is designed to introduce youths between the ages of 13-16 to the basics of leadership, communication, relationships, social etiquette, basic life skills, community volunteerism, the arts and languages, etc. This curriculum takes a close look at their team skills, significant relationships and breaks down barriers that may have hindered them from working successfully in school and the community.

• Self Esteem and Identity - These sessions will focus on helping each youth to determine who they really are by looking at negative stereotypes and images painted by others that have dictated who they will become. After looking at the negative messages they have received, we will enhance their self-esteem and identity by positive affirmations and begin sessions that will bring out the femininity of the young ladies and the warrior spirit of the young men. We will then begin to explore topics such as: identity, purpose, career goals and destiny. After discussion, we will discuss the importance of having a relationship with God and the importance of creating a positive identity through God.

• Leadership - During these sessions, we will focus on building an effective team of youth by having a series of workshops and sessions on such topics as: Being a leader vs. Being a follower, Diversity, Effective Communication, Peer Pressure, and Teamwork. They will go through “Ropes Training” with Sustaining Villages at the Outdoor Facility. They will have to complete case studies, team assignments, etc.

• Relationship Building - These sessions will explore the dynamics of healthy relationships within their families, God, their own gender, God and with members of the opposite sex. We will explore such topics as dating, sex, abstinence, trust, betrayal, boundaries, circle of influence, gangs and end with a youth rally on relationships and abstinence.

• Basic Etiquette Sessions and Field Trips – During these sessions, we will have basic etiquette sessions on various topics as: communication (body language), self esteem, image, grooming, table etiquette, dress attire, walking, etc. This week will end with outside activities/field trips that serve to allow the participants to display the tools and techniques they learned in these sessions. We will partner with Esther’s School of Etiquette and Joseph’s School of Grooming to facilitate these sessions.

• Community Volunteerism via Hands on Atlanta

• Basic Life Skills and Communication - These sessions will explore such topics as debt, investments, checking and savings accounts, household management and organization. In addition, they will receive further education on finances and explore different career choices through skill mapping. They will play a game called “The Great Investment” to explore these topics and then be assigned to teams or “families” where they will have to work on a team project involving household management. During this session, we will have a banking representatives give live demonstrations and have discussions regarding money management and investing into their future.
   

Enhancement Session - During these sessions, the skills used in our "Boot Camp" are enhanced by: Facilitating our youth into team projects used to focus on basic life skills, entrepreneurship training, community volunteerism; Educational assessments involving skill assessments, career/job mapping; Field trips to historical sites, cultural events; and Enhanced Business and Social Etiquette classes. During this session, youths will be enrolled into the Leadership and Language Arts Academy. We will end this session with a Youth Conference and Block Party, our Sons and Daughters with Destiny Youth Cotillion and a summer “Domestic” Field Trip

Educational Sessions - During these sessions, we will focus on the individual needs of our team of students based upon the educational training completed in the Assessment Phase of our curriculum done via job mapping, skills/talent assessments. We will take group trips to key college and universities, Prepare for ACT/SAT exams, college or whatever track they have chosen. Through our Leadership and Language Arts Academy, we will work on several team projects where they will run a business, manage a household budget which will be a demonstration of the skills learned in previous sessions.

Empowerment Sessions - During these sessions, students will participate in a paid job shadowing program in their field of interest and participate in an International Missions Trip. During the month of May, they will participate in an annual banquet where special recognition will be given to those who successful completed our 2-3 leadership curriculum, received a positive job shadowing evaluation and demonstrated academic achievement and/or improvement.

Mentorship - After completing our 2 year curriculum, students will be offered an opportunity to become mentors to other students within our program. During this time they will be provided mentorship training by our leadership team and also participate in our Youth council.

Destiny Pals Parents of each admitted youth will automatically become a part of Destiny Pals which is a parent support group whose objective is:

“To become a strong parent group that will support the mission and goals of the Destiny Family Services through workshops, seminars, activities, and meetings designed to educate, empower and unite parents; enabling them to become an integral part of the overall mission of Destiny Family Services. We want to become an arm of support that will aid in recruitment of teens and facilitators, provide resources for parents, sponsor family oriented events and activities (including a family cookout), and offer helping hands whenever and wherever needed”

Find above a photo gallery of our Sons and Daughters with Destiny Youth Academy "Boot Camp" and key information about our program.

To REGISTER for our Sons and Daughters with Destiny Youth Academy,
please CLICK HERE.