One of ACCESS of WNY, Inc.’s main objectives is to empower and educate its students, resulting in happier, well-rounded members of society. Our successful tutoring and summer youth programs have provided youth with a variety of enriching programming since ACCESS WNY’s inception. Youth will always be the heart of our programs. They create the drive for our organization to make the world around them a safe, happy, loving and supportive one. Over 150 students attend our youth programs annually.
Youth programming gives young people alternatives to unhealthy, unsafe activities in their hours out of school. Today’s youth are faced with many challenges that can build their character -- or crush their hopes and aspirations. For many youth, this includes challenges of identity and belonging. We have recognized these difficulties and design our programs so that youth grow the confidence they need to excel.
ACCESS of WNY, Inc.’s youth programs celebrate youths’ diversity and help them find pride in their abilities and accomplishments. Youth are also provided with volunteer opportunities within the community. They have the opportunity to be involved in many projects with the support of ACCESS of WNY, Inc., which otherwise would not have been possible.
ACCESS Tutoring
Our Tutoring Service provides homework help and fun activities for students elementry through high school. Any student currently enrolled in grade school is welcome to join us. We offer a hassle-free rolling registration. There are no fees; parents need only complete a quick registration packet for their student to be enrolled. Stop by or call during any program day.
Our Tutoring Service hours are:
3:00pm - 5:30pm Monday through Thursday
September through June
We follow the Lackawanna City School District calendar for holidays and closures, including snow days.
Regular programming for ACCESS Tutoring includes:
- Daily one-on-one homework tutoring
- Weekly STEM & Arts Activities
- Free healthy snacks
- Computer use and printing for homework assignments
- Monthly special events (movie nights, parties with food, mini field trips) for students who attend regularly
Special activities and events include:
- Yoga by Alex -- yoga classes
- Eat Smart NY -- nutrition classes for students
- Multiplication Club -- to help students in 3rd-5th grade improve their multiplication skills
- Lights On After School -- special field trip for tutoring programs
- Tech Savvy Girls -- special field trip for girls interested in STEM
- WNY Girls in Sports -- special field trip for girls interested in sports
- Other field trips
- Service/volunteering activities
Summer Enrichment Program
Our summer enrichment program is designed to help students ages 10-13 retain the academic knowledge they learned over the school year, while gaining access to new experiences in healthy living, STEM, and the arts. Our program features 3 hours of academics per day, a student business program where students plan and finance their own final field trip, special guest programming, and field trips every week.
Our summer program will be available for students ages 10-13. Interested parents may call or visit the office in the month of June to pre-register.
Girls Leading Our World (GLOW)
The teenage years are a crucial period for girls to build self-concept, healthy relationships, and confidence as they develop an increasingly nuanced understanding of the world around them. Our GLOW program is designed to empower high school girls by increasing their self-esteem, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and self-efficacy in a small-group structure that encourages youth voices and participant leadership. Participation is voluntary, goal-setting is youth-led, and sessions are centered around group discussion, contributing to our girls’ sense of empowerment. Students meet with a qualified facilitator once per week during to talk about challenges they are facing and skills they can build.
Our GLOW program runs in two eight-week sessions each school year, and is open to any girls attending Global Concepts High School. Our facilitators will advertise at the school during lunch periods at the beginning of the semester.