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Omaha Youth 360 is expanding to more Omaha Public Schools. Jennifer Clark is the program director, and she expressed her ambition to bring the initiative to all schools. “I just remember one of the statements that I made is I was just like, we’re going into all the schools,” Clark said. Clark set her sights on growing the program a year ago, aiming to empower teenagers by reaching them where they are. “But let’s go to the schools. That’s where all the youth are,” Clark said.After the program’s success at Northwest High School, Principal Thomas Lee decided to introduce it to Westview High School. “Oh, when it was presented to me, I knew right off the bat it was going to be something that was beneficial to our young people,” Lee said.Sophomore Darionna Wynne shared how the program has impacted her.”It’s taught me so much leadership, communication. It taught me how to talk to people, gain friends and gain relationships. It has definitely taught me a lot,” Wynne said. She emphasized the program’s focus on mental health. “When you’re walking past someone and you ask them if they’re having a good day and they’re just like, ‘Yeah, OK, yeah, I’m having a good day,’ but you don’t really know if they’re having a good day. We dive deeper into that,” Wynne said. Clark described Omaha Youth 360 as an intervention and prevention program that is inclusive. “It’s for everyone and anyone,” Clark said. “They say, ‘At-risk youth;’ all youth are at-risk. All youth who have experienced trauma. They can use some support,” Clark said.Principal Lee highlighted the importance of supporting students. “I love community partnerships, and when they’re coming in and wanting to do something with our young people and do good things and the right things, I’m all about that,” Lee said.Clark continues to dream big for the program’s future. “My hope is that more adults show up and more community partners show up so that we can have all of the wraparound support that we need in the room to help them,” Clark said. To get involved, contact Clark here.
Omaha Youth 360 is expanding to more Omaha Public Schools.
Jennifer Clark is the program director, and she expressed her ambition to bring the initiative to all schools.
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“I just remember one of the statements that I made is I was just like, we’re going into all the schools,” Clark said.
Clark set her sights on growing the program a year ago, aiming to empower teenagers by reaching them where they are.
“But let’s go to the schools. That’s where all the youth are,” Clark said.
After the program’s success at Northwest High School, Principal Thomas Lee decided to introduce it to Westview High School.
“Oh, when it was presented to me, I knew right off the bat it was going to be something that was beneficial to our young people,” Lee said.
Sophomore Darionna Wynne shared how the program has impacted her.
“It’s taught me so much leadership, communication. It taught me how to talk to people, gain friends and gain relationships. It has definitely taught me a lot,” Wynne said.
She emphasized the program’s focus on mental health.
“When you’re walking past someone and you ask them if they’re having a good day and they’re just like, ‘Yeah, OK, yeah, I’m having a good day,’ but you don’t really know if they’re having a good day. We dive deeper into that,” Wynne said.
Clark described Omaha Youth 360 as an intervention and prevention program that is inclusive.
“It’s for everyone and anyone,” Clark said. “They say, ‘At-risk youth;’ all youth are at-risk. All youth who have experienced trauma. They can use some support,” Clark said.
Principal Lee highlighted the importance of supporting students.
“I love community partnerships, and when they’re coming in and wanting to do something with our young people and do good things and the right things, I’m all about that,” Lee said.
Clark continues to dream big for the program’s future.
“My hope is that more adults show up and more community partners show up so that we can have all of the wraparound support that we need in the room to help them,” Clark said.
To get involved, contact Clark here.
