Alive Center for teens now offering a certification model
The Alive Center for Teens in Naperville has launched its new Alive Alive Teen-Led, Teen-Driven certification program, aimed to vastly increase the impact of Alive’s model to empower more teens.
The B.R. Ryall YMCA in Glen Ellyn has become the first organization to be officially certified in this innovative program, growing their commitment to youth empowerment and engagement.
The Alive Teen-Led, Teen-Driven Certification Program is based on the Alive Center’s trademarked model, which places teens in the driver’s seat, encouraging them to take ownership of programs, activities, and initiatives that directly impact their peers.
This certification equips partner organizations with the tools and guidance to adopt a teen-driven approach, fostering leadership, responsibility, and creativity in a safe, supportive environment. The model contains Teen-Led, Teen-Driven training and hands-on consulting as well as processes, procedures, and templates for building out the model.
“We’re thrilled to bring this program to life to empower the next generation and welcome the B.R. Ryall YMCA as our first certified partner,” said Kandice Henning, CEO and founder of the Alive Center for Teens. “Our Teen-Led, Teen-Driven model is about empowering young people to lead, inspire, and make a tangible impact on their communities. We’re excited to see the outcomes of how the YMCA uses our TLTD model in their beautiful new teen center.”
Funded by a generous grant from DuPage Community Transformation Partnership, a collaboration between DuPage County and DuPage Foundation, the Alive Center and the B.R. Ryall YMCA have partnered together for the past two years to bring the YMCA’s new teen center to fruition.
An important component of the YMCA’s teen center is their jointly created 22-member teen advisory board which has been creating and leading teen-led programs for the past year. The teen board is excited to create in the new space.
“We are grateful and excited for our continued partnership with the ALIVE Center. Thanks to the shared knowledge and training, our staff is now equipped to implement and facilitate successful Alive Teen-Led, Teen-Driven Certified programming for our new Teen Center — complementing and enhancing the existing program offerings at the B.R. Ryall YMCA,” stated Rob Wilkinson, chief executive officer.
Since opening its doors in 2015, the Alive Center for Teens has created and mentored 14 teen advisory boards, which all empowered teen leaders who created and led over 320 Alive Teen-Initiated programs, clubs, and camps for thousands of their younger peers.
The Alive Center teen leads learn early in life that they can make a difference along with learning valuable business, leadership, and life skills. The younger teens they are serving are also lifted up through our model and grow to be the future leaders of Alive.
The Teen-Led, Teen-Driven certification program is available to other YMCAs and youth-focused organizations. Alongside this new initiative, the Alive Center is also now offering a franchising model, which allows other communities to create an Alive Center more quickly and easily, bringing a strong Mental Health Prevention program to their youth. For those interested in bringing an Alive Center to their community, contact Alive at info@alivecenter.org.
About ALIVE Center
Alive Teen Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, resources, and opportunities for the youth through its centers in Naperville, Hanover Park, and Aurora. Through a variety of programs and services, ALIVE aims to empower teenagers to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, enabling them to become successful and contributing members of their community. To learn more, visit www.alivecenter.org.
About the B.R. Ryall YMCA
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Founded in 1919, the B.R. Ryall YMCA of Northwestern DuPage County has been an integral part of the community for more than a century — serving Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Glendale Heights, Winfield, Warrenville, West Chicago, and Carol Stream.
Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone — regardless of age, income, or background — has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. To learn more, visit www.brryallymca.org.