Our Mission
Y.O.U.R.S. partners with OURS, a program of Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County, to provide mentorship and after-school programming for children aged 7 to 17 living in mobile home parks in Dryden, NY. Y.O.U.R.S. volunteers work with the children who attend our program to develop healthy life-skills, self-esteem, leadership skills, and individual goals. Each volunteer attends at least one of three weekly programs: Monday Makers, Tech Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, or Thursday for the Earth. On Mondays, volunteers emphasize hands-on activities; they work one-on-one with the children to create a craft or science project that they can take home. On Tuesdays, volunteers work with youth on an ongoing science project presented to the group at the end of the semester. On Wednesdays, volunteers engage in fun, health-focused activities with the children, such as cooking, arts and crafts, and fitness programs. On Thursdays, volunteers work with youth to build awareness of environmental issues and implement skills for conservation.
