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Our Approach
“Building Bridges to a Brighter Tomorrow
by Building Character and Caring Today”

  • Our approach to programming is built around The Search Institute’s research that has identified 40 concrete, positive experiences and qualities called Developmental Assets that have a tremendous influence on a young person’s life.  

  • These 40 assets are grouped into 8 areas – Support, Empowerment, Boundaries and Expectations, Constructive Use of Time, Commitment of Learning, Positive Values, Social Competencies, and Positive Identity

  • These 40 assets can be vital in protecting youth from high risk behaviors and promoting positive attitudes and behaviors.

In 2000, The City of Alexandria , one of the jurisdictions we serve, polled over 3700 youth in public and private schools to gain insight into their developmental health with guidance by the Search Institute.   This benchmarking yielded some very positive and some alarming results.

Positive Results included

  • External Assets

  • 69% Believe Family Life provides high levels of love and support.

  • 59% School provides clear rules and consequences

  • 59%  Young person spends one or more hours per week in activities in religious institution

  • The Alarming Results included

  • Internal Assets

  • 22% Young Person reads for pleasure 3 or more hours per week

  • 32% Young person knows how to plan ahead and make choices

  • 41% Young person feels he or she control over “things” that happen to me.

We have chosen 6 Developmental Assets the assets we believe we can directly influence during our programs.  We believe increases in these 6 areas will decrease high risk behavior and increase a sense of success and purpose in the youth in their lives.

 

External Factors Internal Factors

Youth Can Resist Negative Peer Pressure and Dangerous Situations - 44%

Youth Feel He/She Has Control Over Things That Happen to Me - 41%
Parents and Other Adults Model Positive, Responsible Behavior - 31% Youth Knows How to Plan Ahead and Make Choices - 32%
Youth are Given Useful Roles in the Community - 27% Youth Reads For Pleasure 3 or more Hours/Wk - 24%

“Draw the Line”      Phase 1

“Soul Food”

Programs to feed the spiritual in youth through relevant worship, bible study, and mentoring

The Urban Poet

Opportunity to give artistic expression of the range of emotions raging inside

 

Youth Advisory Councils

(Detained and Released)

Develop Leaderships skills, self-esteem and character

Rebekah’s Chance

Joseph’s Journey

The Journey to Woman/Manhood

Redeem, Restore, Rebuild through Groups and Mentoring

Partnering with Our Community

* Building Bridges , Awareness & Training

Winning @ the Game of Life

Fun, inspiring and challenging seminars facilitated by TUP  Staff & Community Partners

 

Health and Fitness

Variety of instructor led fitness classes, team sports, health education

“Bringing It Home”

Enables previously detained youth to share their story and need for authentic connection  

Reading Is Power (R.I.P.)

Reading Program designed to promote literacy and empower youth to READ their way to freedom and life of winning

The Board of Directors - click to view bios
Kimberly Y Moore – President & Chairwoman
Janet O. Ibru – Secretary & Treasurer
Michael L. Jenkins- Vice President
Cheryl C. Lenzley, Minister
David E. Thomas, (M.S.) (Ed.M.)
Royan Holland - Program Director