FP YouthOutCry (FPYOC) Foundation

FP YouthOutCry (FPYOC) is a nonprofit organization, located in Newark, New Jersey, whose mission is to increase opportunities for success by providing programs, services, and events for underserved youth and their families. FPYOC utilizes three interrelated strategies to engage and serve youth and families: Entertain, Educate and Empower. Founded eleven years ago, FPYOC has become a thriving community epicenter that delivers highly impactful programs that respond to the issues of victimization, crime, juvenile delinquency, low scholastic achievement, unemployment and other challenges facing vulnerable families in Newark.

In 2006, FPYOC launched The H.U.B.B. (Help Us Become Better) Community Empowerment Center to expand its efforts to counter the impact of violence and victimization on children, youth and families — through alternative therapeutic measures for youth, focused around arts and entertainment; engaging families in stabilization and growth through education; and creating avenues for healing and personal growth through empowerment. Located in Newark’s Central Ward, The H.U.B.B. provides an array of intergenerational programming, serving eighty-five (85) children between the ages of 8 through 15, throughout Newark. Virtually 100% of the children who participate in our free programs have been victims of crime or have been exposed to violence, crime, or other trauma. The H.U.B.B. uses interactive arts and entertainment as a key outreach and engagement strategy and the facility includes cutting edge technology with a state-of-the-art recording studio, computers, and interactive televisions to support deep creativity across the artistic spectrum. The H.U.B.B. also provides students with homework assistance, mentoring, and tutoring, and facilitates peer-to-peer support.

Since its inception, FPYOC has successfully helped hundreds of children and families enrolled in its programs overcome trauma, violence, and other barriers to success. Our evaluations show that participants improve behavior, academic performance, and decision-making by 65%, as measured by pre and post-tests, academic monitoring and other evaluative measures. Report cards, reports from teachers and parents, and student/family surveys indicate that our programs and workshops bring about strong results for participants in the following areas:

• Reducing violence and criminal activity
• Enhancing pro-social behavior
• Decreasing school detentions or suspensions
• Increasing music appreciation and education
• Increasing middle school promotion and high school graduation rates
• Addressing basic food and shelter needs
• Providing employment opportunities in the entertainment industry (music, film and print)

FPYOC’s approach is congruent with the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s (SAMHSA) evidence-based key principles for trauma-informed approaches, including: collaboration and mutuality, building true partnership between all staff and participants; empowerment, voice, and choice, emphasizing recognizing, building on and validating each client’s strengths and new skills; and cultural, historical, and gender responsiveness, allowing organizations to move past stereotypes and biases and use language and cultural considerations to leverage the healing value of traditional, cultural and peer connections, and recognizing and addressing historical trauma. The H.U.B.B. will be the first TRC in the State of New Jersey.

FPYOC offers a continuum of services to meet an array of victims’ needs that includes crisis management, mental health counseling, tutoring, clothing and personal needs assistance, employment and community engagement opportunities; and referrals to legal advocacy, healthcare, and other services. At the forefront of these needs is access to mental health services. We know that mental health service use is particularly low among ethnic minority victims of crime who are less likely to seek treatment than white victims. Research has found that low-income children and adults who face a multitude of stressors and increased risk for trauma and violence often do not receive mental health care despite the overwhelming need.

Utilizing a multi-level approach that combines therapeutic arts, trauma services and victim services, FPYOC will expand and enhance its MTOL Program, and develop The H.U.B.B. Trauma Recovery Center, to address healing from trauma as a collective familial and community process. FPYOC will support children, youth and families who have been victimized by:

• Violent crime(s)
• Loss of a family member or loved one to a violent crime

Exposure to violence traumatizes children and desensitizes them to violence. Culturally and socially adequate mental and emotional health services are needed to foster healing and reduce the potential for youth and their families to cause harm as a result of their own harm. MTOL and The H.U.B.B. Trauma Recovery Center will help participants manage traumatic feelings, restore their sense of safety, prevent anti-social behaviors, support academic success, and provide alternatives to gang affiliation as a source of protection.
 

You can donate to The H.U.B.B. by visiting their website, HERE. Any and all donations are appreciated. Our personal donation of $1,000 went towards the music studio to keep kids off the street.  The music studio has provided after school mentoring and coaching for years.  It allows kids to have a free space to record their music or teach them how to write and produce music.  The music studio is a safe haven for many kids to unlock their talent.  Your gift will allow The H.U.B.B. to:

• Provide a positive experience
• Access sustainable resources
• Assist in saving a youth
• Train volunteers and mentors
• Educate youth and their families
• Administer Art Therapy within The HUBB
• Empower communities to heal
• Continue our efforts to Entertain, Educate and Empower!