Outreach and Recreation aims to improve the lives of neighborhood youth and families by engaging them in organized activities, recreational opportunities and providing guidance and support. The program strengthens the community and connects young people and neighborhood residents with caring adults in a safe, supportive, positive Christian environment.

Keeping Kids Safe
A major emphasis for Outreach and Recreation is keeping kids safe. Staff members escort students from school to the Bresee Youth Center. At the Center they can get help with their homework, learn to use computers play games or sports, or just hang out and listen to music. Staff members provide youth with transportation and escorts so they get home safely. More than 1,000 young people visit the Center on an annual basis.

Providing Positive Activities
Young people in the neighborhoods surrounding the Bresee Foundation live in a difficult environment. Outreach and Recreation provides area youth with the opportunity to participate in positive activities that connect them with caring adults and help them learn and grow.

The program provides area youth at the Bresee Youth Center and Hope Street Youth Center with an intramural sports program with organized teams in basketball, football, soccer and volleyball. Each team has a weekly practice schedule and regularly scheduled games in local and regional leagues and tournaments. There is also a gospel choir that performs at local churches and community events. Area youth also get the opportunity to go on camping trips and field trips to beaches, local amusement parks and other places that are often out of reach for young people in the community.

Offering Support and Guidance
The Bresee Foundation helps young people to develop the strength and skills to cope with difficult life issues through an exploration of those issues from a Christian perspective. On a weekly basis Outreach and Recreation brings young people together to talk about relationships, problems, morality, ethics and other issues and challenges. Participants learn from and support each other, and staff members are available to provide additional support and guidance.

Community Support and Services
Bresee staff members help neighborhood residents assess their problems and provide ongoing support to community members who may be facing a personal crisis or difficult situation. Staff members make home visits and follow up calls and manage and track case information. They can also refer community members to other sources of help, and work with social workers, educators, the courts and others to help the youth and families they serve.

For more information on Bresee Outreach and Recreation contact Fonda Whitehead at (213) 387-2822, ext. 164.