MEDARDS HOUSE

MEDARD'S HOUSE ACTS AS A SECOND HOME FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH AFTER SCHOOL AND IS THE ONLY FREE YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT FOCUSING ON MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. MEDARD'S HOUSE HAS PURPOSEFULLY CHOSEN TO COMBAT THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES FACING TEENAGERS TODAY, INCLUDING OBESITY, DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND HOMELESSNESS. MEDARD'S HOUSE OFFERS A FREE, SUPPORTIVE TEEN-DRIVEN SPACE WITH A HOT MEAL SERVED FAMILY STYLE; MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPORTS AND ARTS; HOMEWORK HELP; A TEEN-TENDED GARDEN; A LARGE FAMILY ROOM WITH COUCHES, TVS, AND VIDEO GAMES; LARGE OPEN GREEN SPACE; AND ON-SITE MENTORING. THE PURPOSE IS TO SUPPORT TEENS AND THEIR FAMILIES, REDUCE NEGATIVE AND SELF-DEFEATING BEHAVIORS, EQUALIZE RISK FACTORS, AND GUIDE YOUTH TOWARD A FULFILLED ADULTHOOD. CURRENTLY, THE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM HOSTS ABOUT 40 YOUTH FOUR TIMES PER WEEK. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, MEDARD'S HOUSE HAS ALSO USED THEIR FACILITY AS A SHELTER TO ADDRESS THE PRESSING ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY. MEDARD'S HOUSE ALSO TURNS ITS ATTENTION TO ADDRESSING A RISING NUMBER OF LOCAL YOUTH AND ADOLESCENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. DATA SHOWS THERE ARE OVER 80 YOUTH AND ADOLESCENTS IN THE COUNTY KNOWN TO BE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, A GROWING NUMBER OF WHOM ARE CONCENTRATING IN AN AREA WITHIN A MILE OF MEDARD'S HOUSE. IN ADDITION, OVER 90% OF THE YOUTH AND ADOLESCENTS MEDARD'S HOUSE SERVES RESIDE IN HOMES CONSIDERED LOW- TO MODERATE-INCOME WHO MAY BE AT INCREASED RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. ALL MEDARD'S HOUSE PROGRAMS ARE OPEN TO ANY AND ALL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLERS, PRIMARILY SERVING CEDAR CLIFF HIGH SCHOOL AND NEW CUMBERLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY AND REGULARLY SERVING STUDENTS COMING FROM HARRISBURG AND LEMOYNE. CEDAR CLIFF HIGH SCHOOL REPORTS 32% OF THEIR STUDENTS ARE CONSIDERED ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED, WHILE NEW CUMBERLAND REPORTS 39% AS ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED. ALMOST 11% OF THE HIGH SCHOOL'S STUDENTS IDENTIFY AS HISPANIC, AS DO 10% OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. BOTH SCHOOLS REPORT ABOUT 6% OF STUDENTS IDENTIFY AS BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICANS. DEMOGRAPHICS SHOW THAT THE YOUTH WHO CHOOSE TO ATTEND MEDARD'S HOUSE ARE THOSE WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE, MAKING SERVICES EVEN MORE VITAL: 25% OF YOUTH SERVED IDENTIFY AS BLACK OR AFRICAN-AMERICAN; 35% IDENTIFY AS HISPANIC OR LATINX; AND 50% ARE SUPPORTED IN THEIR SCHOOLS WITH AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM AND/OR LIVE WITH A DIAGNOSED MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER OR DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY. THE MEDARD'S HOUSE APPROACH ADDRESSES THREE KEY AREAS OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: THROUGH MENTORING, INSPIRATIONAL GUEST SPEAKERS, AND SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION, WE SEEK TO BUILD CHARACTER TO MOTIVATE OUR STUDENTS TOWARD EXCELLENCE. ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE: WE OFFER HOMEWORK HELP TO ALL STUDENTS AS REQUESTED AND PARTNER WITH THE LOCAL DISTRICT TO PROVIDE SEVERAL EXTENDED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING THE EMERGING GARDEN-TO-TABLE PROGRAM. PHYSICAL FITNESS: MEDARD'S HOUSE FEATURES SEVERAL FUN FITNESS ACTIVITIES ON-SITE, INCLUDING AN INDOOR CLIMBING WALL AND A SKATE PARK. WE ALSO PARTNER WITH OTHER NONPROFITS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO ENCOURAGE FITNESS OPPORTUNITIES. WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTRAMURAL SPORTS, SUMMER CAMPS, FIELD TRIPS, KAYAKING, TUBING, SWIMMING, HIKING, AND MORE.