In a holistic approach to afterschool programming, YouthQuest and the Crim Fitness Foundation are working together through the Flint Community Education Initiative to provide sports to Flint students.
At the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, YouthQuest updated its model to be more inclusive with two pathways for students: YQ Comprehensive and YQ Clubhouse. YQ Comprehensive acts as the traditional YouthQuest programming, with a focus on YouthQuest’s core components including academic support, physical fitness, nutrition, youth development, family/community engagement and enrichment activities. YQ Clubhouse allows students to participate in more extracurricular activities provided through YouthQuest. This model will be implemented once students go back to in-person session.
In the meantime, one of the activities that YQ Clubhouse students will be able to participate in is Crim Sports, a program that aims to teach students about concepts in sports while keeping them active. However, while session is virtual, the staff at Crim and YouthQuest have worked together to bring students programming they can participate in virtually through sports clinics.
“We are excited to continue to foster our relationship with the Crim Fitness Foundation,” says Nefertari Jones, program director of YouthQuest. “Sports are important in afterschool because they provide physical fitness while teaching key skills such as teamwork and dedication.”
YouthQuest students can sign up for sports clinics that alternate each week between SportsQuest and Zoomlympics which are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
In SportsQuest, students can learn concepts in a variety of sports including karate, basketball and football. They participate in exercises to increase movement and are tested on their knowledge through fun sports trivia games.
During Zoomlympics, YouthQuest sites can compete against each other in a friendly competition that helps them learn about and practice sportsmanship and teamwork.
YouthQuest is offered to students in Flint Community Schools and International Academy of Flint. For more information on YouthQuest and sign up your student, visit yquest.org.
YouthQuest is made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers.