Since our founding in 2001, over 30,000 youth from around the world have been touched by our programs. In America, over 200 schools have engaged CofU professional development workshops, consulting services, and materials. Over 90% of our after-school participants graduate from high school on schedule and attend college. Some of our milestones include:
2001 – COMMUNITY OF UNITY created its first partnership with the Harlem YMCA and began administering after-school Life Skills programming to over 80 youth a week. COMMUNITY OF UNITY also began offering professional training and curriculum development for local school districts.
2003 – COMMUNITY OF UNITY began to provide professional development and support services for New York City public schools including a partnership with New Design High School on New York’s Lower East Side. COMMUNITY OF UNITY pioneered their Design for Life (DFL) Advisory curriculum and the Youth Empowerment Leadership Community (YELC). That same year, our curriculum, “Bringing Life Skills to the Classroom” was published by Newsday Newspaper and used in 140 schools throughout New York City. Also in 2003, COMMUNITY OF UNITY expanded its programming to Africa with the HOOPS 4 HOPE organization in South Africa and Zimbabwe with the SKILLS 4 LIFE program that has now reached over 20,000 youth and has become part of HOOPS ongoing professional culture.
2007 – COMMUNITY OF UNITY partnered with Auburn Theological Seminary’s Center for Multifaith Education to establish the Face to Face Leadership Community and also worked with CoCo Foundation to create the COMMUNITY OF UNITY Photo Essay with photographer Susanne Michelus entitled YOUTH EMPOWERED.
2008 – YELC celebrated its first graduation class from New Design High School with a 95% graduation rate with 9 out of 10 of the seniors attending college.
