AYD's two vans are centrally important to our programOur two 15-passenger vans represent a centerpiece of our program. We offer 90 minutes of intensive educational enrichment after school, followed by dinner and then 90 minutes of fun, creative Social-Emotional Learning enrichment activities. Because our program extends into the evening, and more than half of our students live outside of walking distance, we need to drive our kids home at the end of the day. In addition, we use the two vans nearly every weekend for a variety of field trips, sports competitions and out-of-town tournaments. Many of the youth would not have ventured beyond their neighborhood if not for the AYD vans. Unfortunately, both of our vans now have over 150,000 miles on them and are in need of frequent repair and service, straining our transportation and program budgets.
What makes AYD innovative?Our enrichment activities are fun while developing valuable Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) skills based upon a proven, well-researched curriculum. Because our enrichment activities are so much fun, the kids are willing to dedicate themselves to 90 minutes of rigorous academic enrichment at the end of the school day before their enrichment activities begin.
For example, AYD Judo is used to teach the seven Bushido virtues of the ancient Samurai, including righteousness, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, and loyalty.
AYD Chess is very popular with the kids and helps them to develop their ability to thoughtfully plan ahead, formulate strategies, develop confidence, and challenge themselves mentally.
The nationally acclaimed First Tee Golf program teams with experts in positive youth development to teach Nine Core Values and important life skills. AYD's Golf program is offered in partnership with the Pittsburgh Public Police, who also volunteer to read with our younger children. 
Establishing positive relationships between police and the children within low-income neighborhoods represents an excellent way to establish trust and foster improved interactions that can result in stronger, safer communities. In this regard, organizations such as the National Police Foundation (which performs research on best policing practices), local communities, police departments, governments, Black Lives Matter, and even those who seek to defund the police share common ground. All want to foster safe communities that nurture our youth. All seek to reimagine policing in ways that can bring about improved public safety and enhanced public welfare. All seek to reduce the risk to the public during their interactions with police. There is no controversy here. AYD is making a difference by nurturing the positive development of its youth and establishing positive relationships that can help reduce risk within the community.
We also offer voluntary Christian education lessons, available with parental approval because we recognize the central importance of the church in our neighborhoods. AYD also participates in a Christian basketball league that includes Bible lessons as part of the program.
In summary, AYD offers rigorous academic enrichment in combination with a fun, well-researched Social-Emotional Learning curriculum to help our children succeed academically and strengthen their resilience to help them break the cycle of poverty. Our program also welcomes local police who volunteer to read to our younger children and participate in the First Tee Golf mentoring program in order to positively develop our youth while establishing a positive relationship between our communities and the local police.
To learn more about Allegheny Youth Development, you can go to https://www.ayd.org.
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