Before youth can think about money, business or any other aspect in life, many are struggling with everyday life skills and the ability to cope with social, emotional and family challenges. GLYF focuses on helping youth understand the dynamics of maneuvering through life and making positive life choices, despite the odds they face. Through a culturally competent approach, our life coaches work individually and in groups to help youth navigate life, while aiding in their social, emotional and personal development. This is done through one-on-one mentoring, or as we call it, life coaching. Our life coaches are young, street savvy and familiar with youth culture and Hip-Hop culture, thus building deep trusting relations with youth that relate to them. Youth also have opportunities to work in groups and see others traverse similar journeys toward success. Touching on serious issues and discussions that youth need to engage in for them to move forward. "For The Culture Series" - a series of group and community discussions about Hip-Hop culture and youth culture that focus on the impact and trajectory of being an "urban" youth. Discussions include social and emotional issues that many youth face daily.

R.E.A.L. Wealth is an asset building and financial education curriculum and series. Asset building & financial literacy curriculum gives youth a sense of responsibility, understanding of money management, hope and actionable steps to remove themselves from poverty. Poverty is a societal problem that drives other issues and obstacles that many youth face in the urban environment. Poverty is a leading cause for violence, youth crime and incarceration. Poverty is also a mentality. Our approach seeks to address the need for a shift in the culture and thinking toward a solution for poverty. Along with learning about entrepreneurship, our youth are encouraged to open bank accounts through our partner Cooperative Federal Credit Union (CFCU) and learn to manage their stipends from the program and dollars they may get from internships and employment that we help them attain.

R.E.A.L. Success is an entrepreneurship and workforce development training program for youth and young adults, helping youth to understand business and ownership, as well as help youth who decide on alternative paths other than entrepreneurship to attain "higher than minimum-wage jobs". The program is 2-generational in model, helping to encourage both youth and parents to learn values and principals to be reinforced in the home, ultimately helping families take a step out of poverty. The program consists of our Entrepreneurship Spotlight Series, bridging the gap between young aspiring entrepreneurs and local and national experienced entrepreneurs in a conversational exchange. It also consists of entrepreneurial training in the entrepreneurship bootcamp. Youth can go through our bootcamp and then compete with business plans for start up grants (up to $2,000) to start their own business. Entrepreneurship Spotlight Series Entrepreneurship Bootcamp & Business Plan Competition "For The Culture": Work Place Etiquette

98% of the youth we currently work with come from low-income households and fall below the Federal poverty level. In 2016, a new study on poverty identified Syracuse NY as having the Nation's highest level of poverty concentrated amongst Black and Latino populations. As a byproduct, our youth are often experiencing stressed-filled homes, which contribute to, often times, inconsistent nutrition, toxic environments and health-care gaps of every kind, as well as mental health issues. Often kids in very low-income families may never catch up when it comes to their health. Sometimes, cultures develop negative aspects and habits that may also contribute to unhealthy lifestyles. The GLYF attempts to shift the culture and put health and wellness first in the lives of the youth and their families. This is a raw and honest look at the impact of our cultures and youth culture on health and wellness.

How We Promote Health and Wellness:

Peace Making Circles - with our partner Center for Court Innovation

"For The Culture - Survival of the FITtest!" - with our partner H2 Fitness

"Don't Get It Twisted" - Chiropractic Wellness with partner Highpoint Chiropractic Wellness, Dr. Irum Tahir

"Squash The Beef" - Afro-centric Diet Cooking Workshop