Exploring Young Girls' Empowerment Through REACH: An After-School Program for Urban Youth

• In Event: Social Justice and Cultural Diversity in Health and Physical Education

Abstract

Youth today are not active enough to gain health benefits, which inherently impacts other areas of their lives, including academic performance. This is especially troubling for youth in urban communities who often lack access to or exhibit low levels of physical activity. After-school programs hold potential for meeting this need, particularly when guided by a strengths-based approach, such as the Positive Youth Development (PYD) model. This paper explores how 4th and 5th grade girls were empowered by and made connections to their community and school through REACH, an after-school PYD program focusing on physical fitness, character education, and literacy through playing basketball.

Authors

• Kelly Carter Johnston, Baylor University

• Risto Marttinen, George Mason University

• Ray N Frederick, Teachers College, Columbia University