Curriculum & Program Summary

Emerald Youth Foundation serves Knoxville’s urban youth—elementary age through young adult—with curriculum and programs that pour into their heads and hearts.

We focus on four strategic pillars of development for each child: faith, education, relationships, and health. Afterschool, nightly, and weekend programs are offered, and we track the outcomes of each activity with each child up to age 25.

Faith Development
We believe every child needs to be involved in a faith community as well as providing service to others in order to become balanced, caring and responsible adults.
 
Academic Reinforcement
Our urban youth need to graduate with life, college, and career-readiness skills. That’s why we have our JustLead Learning Labs and volunteer tutors available.

Relationship Building
Research shows the single, most important factor in protecting young people who are at-risk on multiple levels is a long-term relationship with at least one caring adult, not necessarily a parent.* Youth development programs like JustLead present a wonderful opportunity to develop this.
 
Health Improvement
Hundreds of youth participate in various health improvement activities every year. We aim to help kids reduce risky behaviors and improve their lifestyle.

Youth Development Model 

*Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development, 1992; National Commission on Children, 1991; Wynn et al., 1994