General Programs PDF Print E-mail
  • Tutoring/ Academic Assistance - This is mandatory for all youth ages 5-13 before they are eligible to participate in any other activities. If needed, tutoring is also offered to youth ages 14-20. The EOBA/ Smartmoves Program is also partnering with Applied Scholastics to offer additional one-on-one tutoring through the Supplemental Educational Services program.
  • Mentoring - Each youth attending the EOBA/ Smartmoves Program are supported and mentored by at least five additional adult mentors each day of their participation.
  • Arts - Art programming includes photography, painting, drawing, clothing design, ceramics, crafts, jewelry making, dance, theater, etc. Youth are encouraged to try art projects and are given the opportunity to display their pieces at a variety of different venues.
  • Computers - Important skills including Word and the researching the internet, designing a resume and searching for employment.
  • Garden/ Nutrition Classes- The EOBA Smartmoves Program is very proud of its newly renovated organic garden. Youth learn how to plant and care for fresh fruits and vegetables. Once ready, youth pick the veggies and fruits and then have the opportunity to learn how to cook and create recipes. Our cooking instructor is a certified chef who brings creative thought about cooking and food to our program.
  • Physical Education includes boxing lessons, calisthenics, and capoeira.
    Youth Internships - Youth learn important job training skills, receive weekly trainings, and have the opportunity to receive a stipend to plan, organize and implement activities and projects for youth at the EOBA.
  • Field Trips - The EOBA goes on a number and variety of field trips throughout the year. Notable trips include an annual 8 day backcountry camping trip for teens to Yosemite and other wilderness areas.

In addition, the EOBA has been refocusing its efforts on curriculum and program design. The following description briefly describe our current program focuses:

  •  SmartMoves "It Takes a Village" Program- Focuses on building self-esteem through youth development activities that link academic support with mentoring, art, nutrition education, gardening, community service, field trips, and physical education for youth ages 5-13. It Takes a Village" encourages community involvement by engaging families, schools, peers, and community members in the education of its young people and is designed to create a pathway for EOBA youth to achieve success both academically and socially. SmartMoves will be partnering with Healthy Families starting in January 2010 to provide qualified youth (youth who attend a Supplemental Education Services “S.E.S” qualified school) additional one-on-one and small group academic tutoring.
  • "Urban Fresh Gardeners" - Focuses on preparing teens ages 13-20 for success through a youth run small- business that integrates internship opportunities, career and college readiness, Green Jobs training, life skills, goal development, and community service. In the spring of 2009, EOBA youth interns wrote a grant which received funding from Youth Grants for Youth Action to initiate the "Urban Fresh Gardeners" project. This funding allowed youth to purchase a greenhouse to develop an organic plant-start business while learning vital life skills. Additionally, the EOBA has partnered with DIG Corporative to provide youth with hands-on Green jobs training in water conservation systems. Youth are learning how to build several water conservation systems including grey water using an outdoor hand- wash basin, Earth Works landscaping, and rain water catchment. The EOBA has secured a local funding source (Elmhurst Weed and Seed) to support stipends for youth interns to construct backyard planters boxes using water conservation techniques for interested residents in the Elmhurst community.
  • "Aspiring Youth Intern and Leadership" Program- Focuses on developing leadership qualities and skills for youth whom have "aged out" of the SmartMoves Program. The Aspiring Youth Internship Program at EOBA takes a profound pride in providing the youth participants with hope, opportunity and empowerment.  Through this program, not only do EOBA staff fervently strives to prepare the youth participants for the workforce, implementing a sense of leadership, self-respect, teamwork, and dedication. Under the mentoring and guidance of EOBA staff and partners, youth are held accountable for their actions and require nothing less than their absolute best.
  • "A.W.A.K.E. Apprenticeship Program"- Apprentice Warrior Acquiring Knowledge to Empower focuses on providing comprehensive services and opportunities for those youth whom participate in the physical education program at the EOBA. Services and opportunities include martial arts training, individualize tutoring, college and/or job search counseling, positive mentoring, educational fieldtrips, offsite trainings and workshops, and participating with other youth organizations so that youth can build relationships outside their immediate community. Specifically, the A.W.A.K.E program teaches youth the values of respect, honor, courage, humility, education, and service through positive mentoring and coaching. Additionally, youth participants whom have developed and exhibited leadership qualities will have the opportunity to earn a stipend by assisting Coaches/Instructors in workshops or boxing classes in other gyms, schools or community centers. The goal is to promote proficiency, willingness to learn, and leadership amongst youth so that they can become EOBA stewards and instructors of the A.W.A.K.E. program. Youth will have the chance to travel and speak in public arenas, such as youth development workshops and training to focus and promote violence prevention, health awareness and social justice through a warriors’ code of conduct.