Program Sites
and Information:
 The Mazon-Seneca Teen REACH
and Illinois Steps AHEAD grant programs
are both funded through the Illinois
Department of Human Services, and
administered by the Education Service
Network (ESN). ESN received its first
Teen REACH grant in 2000. These programs
are located at two sites;
- Mazon-Verona-Kinsman Middle School
located in Mazon, IL.
- Seneca Grade School South Campus
located in Seneca, IL.
The Steps AHEAD program is operated
in conjunction with the Teen REACH
program at both program sites. The
program’s regular hours of operation
are from 3:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m after
school, Monday through Friday during the
school year. The program also schedules
periodic weekend activities and field
trips. Summer programming hours
fluctuate based on the activities
scheduled and participants’ needs.
Summer programming offers fun exciting
academic enrichment opportunities.
Purpose:
The mission of Teen REACH
(Responsibility, Education, Achievement,
Caring and Hope) is to expand the
choices and opportunities that enable,
empower, and encourage youth, ages 10
through 15, to:
- Achieve positive growth and
development
- Improve expectations and
capacities for future successes
- Avoid and/or reduce risk-taking
behavior
The mission of Steps AHEAD (Attaining
Higher Education through Academic
Development) is to help low-income and
disadvantaged students become prepared
academically and financially to enter
into and succeed in college by ensuring
these students have the opportunities,
support, and information they need for
future success. Initial enrollment of
students consists of 7th
through 9th graders. Enrolled
students will then receive services
through high school.
Goals:
Mazon-Seneca Teen REACH is intended to
be a holistic, comprehensive program
that promotes the social, creative,
physical, and cognitive development of
youth. Programs and activities are
designed:
- To improve participants’ academic
performance.
- To provide opportunities for
learning social skills, demonstrating
positive social interactions, and
building positive social
relationships.
- To incorporate recreation,
sports and cultural/artistic
activities.
- To help participants adopt
positive decision-making
skills that discourage
harmful risk-taking behaviors.
- To strengthen parent-child
bonds and community
involvement.
ESN IL. Steps AHEAD is intended to
ensure low income and disadvantaged
students have the opportunities,
support, and information they need to
enroll into and succeed in college.
Programs and activities are designed
- To increase the academic
performance and preparation for
post-secondary education for IL.
Steps AHEAD students.
- To increase the rate of high
school graduation and participation
in post-secondary education of IL.
Steps AHEAD students.
- To increase Il. Steps AHEAD
students’ and their families’
knowledge of post-secondary
education options, preparation, and
financing.
For more information, contact Program
Coordinator Danette Pasdertz at (815)
693-8789 |
