The Afterschool Alternatives program provides young people with a safe, enriching, and engaging environment during after-school hours. Designed to foster creativity, build confidence, and promote social skills, this program offers a wide range of activities tailored to meet diverse interests and developmental needs.
Young people in the program benefit from homework assistance and tutoring, which reinforce their school learning and improve academic performance. Group activities and team-based projects encourage the development of crucial social skills, including communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution—laying the foundation for personal and professional success.
Afterschool Alternatives also promotes physical activity and creative expression through sports, arts and crafts, and science experiments. These experiences empower participants to explore and nurture their unique interests and talents.
With a dedicated and caring staff, the program supports the holistic development of each participant, ensuring afternoons filled with meaningful learning, fun, and growth.
Creation of sentencing mitigation reports with defense counsel to advocate for alternatives to incarceration and restorative justice for people with convictions.
Workshops, dialogue circles and leadership opportunities to support youth to center safety, learn de-escalation skills and prevent violence.
Support and coaching for students returning from or facing out-of-school suspensions and those returning from a residential facility or secure facility
Support for people incarcerated at Onondaga County Correctional Facility to successfully transition back into the community.
Therapeutic interactive journaling for people incarcerated at the Onondaga County Correctional Facility and participants in Syracuse.
Employment services for people impacted by the criminal legal system, including training, career planning, placement and mental health support.
Culinary employment training program with soft-skill training, certification, internships and job placement for people impacted by the criminal legal system.
Healthcare employment training program with direct job placement into full & part-time positions with anchor employer partners.
Permanent housing program with personal apartments, and access to programs and community-based health care, treatment and employment services.
Construction employment training program in electrical, HVAC, plumbing, welding and other trades.
Emergency housing dormitories for people returning from incarceration including holistic support and reentry services.
Free civic restoration services in Syracuse and Rochester for people with conviction records to understand their rights while seeking employment and advocating against discrimination.
Peer recovery services, programs and support groups in Syracuse for youth, adults and formerly incarcerated people with a history of substance use.
Afterschool program with homework help, arts and crafts, science activities and sports