SOCK maintains a number of key programs that provide a safe, learning-based environment for the young people of Mason County.
Currently, four separate programs encourage peer support, mentoring relationships, and other positive models for youth to explore their potential, learn new skills and attitudes, and to employ as alternatives to drugs, gangs and other negative behavior.
These four pieces form the core of our YES (Youth Empowerment Strategies) Program, and offer a broad range of benefits to ALL citizens of Shelton and Mason County. Benefits focus on connecting––connecting kids with information technology; elders with youth; youth with small business; and youth with opportunities to learn, grow, and believe in themselves.
Youth Philanthropy
Program to be detailed in this section of the website.
YES Community Technology Center
Recently upgraded through a state grant, our Technology Center is open to the public, youth and their families, private businesses and other organizations from Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. With 20 computer workstations, we offer free access to the Internet, instruction in basic computer use, job search skills, resume writing, GED preparedness and online education. Since November, 2008, the Technology Center has served more than 460 individuals, many who have used the computers and Internet to find housing, work, educational resources, or more effectively market their small businesses or organization.
Young people currently comprise 78% of the Technology Center users and 42% of the time spent there was related to either work or school.
Cultivating Connections
SOCK’s Cultivating Connections Project utilizes a greenhouse at Fir Lane Health & Rehabilitation Center to teach basic greenhouse cultivation skills to youth, who grow plant starts from cuttings, and then distribute these to residents of the convalescence center.
Friday Nights @ SOCK
Since its beginning, SOCK has successfully hosted youth events, which often feature live music, skateboarding, talent shows, or youth-created big-screen video displays. Relaxed, yet structured and supervised, these events are popular with young people, who can connect with friends over shared activities and free food. Likewise, area adults appreciate having a safe place for kids and teens to play. |
