Youth Programs

Seasonal Team Sports

Football, basketball and cheerleading squads for youth 7-18 years old (varies by squad) build skills while emphasizing accountability, discipline, and respect for authority.

Summer Youth Programs

Youth 10-18 years old are equipped to take ownership of changing their community, after being changed themselves through Bible based discipleship, Judeo-Christian principles of work and stewardship, and summer camps.

Daily After-School Enrichment

More than just an after-school program… youth 4-13 years old participate in enrichment activities like music, dance, art, tumbling, and get help with homework and math.

SOLID

Sisters Obtaining Leadership in Disciple-making Teen girls 12 – 18 years old are given tools that empower them to become godly role models.

Seasonal Sports

Sports are called the “anvil” on which character is forged. Our seasonal sports programs are designed to introduce accountability, discipline, and respect for authority while building skills in an organized sports environment. Participants do not pay an activity fee and we provide transportation to and from practices and games. The highly relational interaction with Forge staff and volunteers helps us:

  • Prevent non-productive behavior

  • Diagnose spiritual, social and intellectual needs

  • Inspire faith, hope and love

Basketball – The Basketball program runs annually from mid January through mid March. The season consists of six games where co-ed and single gender teams made up of “at risk” youths and teens 7 – 18 years old compete in a safe and wholesome environment. Practices are held after-school during the week and games a held on Saturdays.

Football– The football program begins with cheer practice for girls in mid August and conditioning practice for the football teams in late August. The season consists of six game days on Saturdays, from late September to early November. Youths 7- 12 years old learn basic skills in football and cheerleading while developing those character traits that will affect them the rest of their lives. At mid-season some of the older players attend a weekend retreat sponsored by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew of the Episcopal Church.

Contact Abigail Roque

Summer Youth Programs

In the Summer Leadership Program thirty 12 - 18 year olds are equipped to take ownership in changing their own community, after being changed themselves. These are young people who have usually participated in one or more Forge programs previously or are in an ongoing mentoring relationship with a Forge staff member or volunteer. Also, they have demonstrated an interest in spiritual growth which provides the foundation needed for their personal transformation. With components of physical fitness, spiritual education and community service, this six week program immerses its participants in an intense discipleship program designed to move them to the next level as young Christian leaders. These are the leaders which will be the “salt” and “light” in their homes, schools and communities.

The Vocational Beginners School is a six-week summer program for thirty 10 – 15 year old students. Students who apply and pass the screening process will engage in:

  • Vocational training (WORK)

  • Educational classes (STUDY)

  • Field trips and recreational activities (PLAY)

The work can range from washing cars, yard-work or community service projects to business simulations. As they work, the funds they earn are matched by local businesses. The final earnings are placed onto monetary vouchers and distributed to them at the end of the program. The study is designed to introduce basic Judeo-Christian principles of work and stewardship. Field trips to local businesses expose students to the opportunities available to them in the future. Recreational activities add balance to a summer filled with learning and earning.

Summer Camps provide youths with a retreat from life as usual in the inner city. Camps are scheduled during June through August for youths who have participated in other programs during the year and would benefit from being exposed to a different atmosphere.

Contact Abigail Roques

Daily After-School Enrichment

The Forge After-School enrichment program provides wholesome activities that engage the spirits, minds, and bodies of the students we serve. This makes it more the just another after-school program. Each day students from area elementary schools are picked up and brought to the Forge where they spend three and a half hours in a safe and productive environment.

SafeZone is a state-licensed child care program that is open daily from 3:00pm to 6:30pm during the school year. Upon arrival students, ages pre-k4 through 6th grade, are given a snack, allowed to unwind from a busy day at school before they are engaged in a variety of activities. Homework help, Christian Principles, Arts and Fun, Dance and Tumbling are daily or weekly enrichment activities.

Our Math Center is available to students up to 8th grade whether they are enrolled in SafeZone or not. This is a supplemental math program that focuses on building foundational math skills. Upon enrollment students are tested so that their instruction can be tailored to their needs. They receive individualized instruction each day including, drills, and encouragement. Assessments are given periodically to determine progress.

For Junior High and High School students, Super Saturday SAT Preparatory Classes provide the opportunity to prepare for the PSAT or the SAT in a small group setting that allows for one-on-one tutoring. These classes are held on Saturdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm in advance of the PSAT and SAT testing dates. A typical day includes a practice test with an assessment of the answers, specific discussion on test strategies, group and one-on-one tutorials and follow-up assistance.

Contact Kim Darden