Empowering Youths of Iowa (EYI) After-School Program (ASP)

Behind in graduation credits but want to graduate with your class? Overwhelmed and thinking about dropping out of high school? EYI's After-School Program may be exactly what you need.

Location: Human Services Campus, 317 7th Ave SE, #201 (2nd Floor), Cedar Rapids

Transportation: Students are responsible for transportation. (City bus free with CRCSD Student ID.)
Who's eligible?

  • Any CRCSD student at risk of dropping out of high school or in need of recovering failed credits.
  • Any former CRCSD student who has already dropped out but now wants to complete HS or HS equivalency.

Program Dates and Schedule: September 13, 2021-End of CRCSD 2021-22 school year.
  • CRCSD Students - 3:30-6:00 pm Monday-Friday. Each student only attends 4-5 hours per week.
  • Individuals Who Have Dropped Out of HS - Noon-3:00 pm. Each attend about 8 hours per week.

A Whole-Person Approach - More than Academics:
  • In addition to academic help, each participant as needed is taught life skills (e.g., cooking, banking), social-emotional skills (e.g., stress management, interpersonal skills), and career readiness skills (e.g., survey of interests & careers that relate, job shadows & apprenticeships, college tours).
  • EYI guides participants in identifying interests and careers that relate; then, an individualized career goal and plan to attain it is developed.

Attendance Requirements and Flexibility:
  • Attendance and participation will be recorded every day.
  • Students not attending or participating will be dropped from the ASP to make room for students on the wait list.
  • Flexibility is shown students whose parent/guardian confirms legitimate reasons for absences (work, sports or music practice, illness, etc.) if student and parent/guardian communicate in advance with EYI.

EYI's After-School Program Staff and Volunteers:
  • Paid staff - Three K-12 teachers with master's degrees and a combined 110+ years in public education.
  • Tutors - Volunteers with expertise in specific subjects (e.g., chemistry, algebra, calculus, etc.) provide free tutoring.

Cost for the program: There is no fee. It's free.

Healthy snacks provided.

Student/Participant Safety and Well-Being: To ensure safety and well-being of participants, EYI applies the Rule of Three. No student is ever alone in a 1:1 situation with an EYI staff or volunteer.

Parent/guardian Involvement: Parent/guardian of participant under 18 must give signed permission.

What Happens After My Counselor Refers Me (or I refer myself): EYI will call your home to explain the ASP to you and your parent/guardian, answer questions, arrange start date, etc.