YESUSA Transformational Cities

YESUSA Transformational Cities is grassroots, minority-led nonprofit organization focused on making a positive impact within Norfolk, Virginia's Public Schools. YESUSA instills hope and empowers underserved youth through character development curricula, while creating pathways to equitable opportunities for students and families residing in neighborhoods challenged by poverty and violence. YESUSA understands the importance of solving problems TOGETHER and has joined with other small nonprofits and micro businesses to create the Community Classroom Project.  Community Classroom programming includes:

Meal & Message Sessions with naturally forming groups of students (usually athletic teams): These weekly hour-long sessions focus on self-awareness, self-worth, self-esteem, self-confidence, determination, discipline, and healthy relationships. This program empowers students to achieve excellence in all aspects of their lives.

Small Group Values Based Leadership RoundTable Discussions: Over a six-week period, students come together for small group RoundTable discussions focused on values such as excellence, hard work, hope, respect, confrontation, restraint, and others. These discussions nurture essential Values-Based Leadership skills.

College and Career Explorers Club (CCEC) Mentoring: The CCEC aspect of the program involves mentorship using Naviance, a platform that enables students and mentors to explore career paths, develop academic plans, research job opportunities and colleges, and identify scholarships. Participants and their parents are offered opportunities to participate in field trips to colleges and workplaces, known as "Road Shows."

Values in the Community - Community Classroom Outreach: Banners displaying the values Community Classroom participants have been discussing adorn the school's football stadiums and gymnasiums, accompanied by short programs during athletic competitions that emphasize the significance of these values. This approach aligns with our mission to extend the promotion of values beyond the classroom and into the broader community, cultivating a culture rooted in shared principles and ethical conduct.

Other Complementary Programming Includes:

Parent Connection – Monthly parent education sessions that empower and equip parents to raise healthy, productive children. Through these sessions, parents become positive role models in their homes, children’s schools, and communities.

Teacher Appreciation – Monthly birthday gifts and quarterly meals and/or coffee and donuts to encourage teachers.

Character Development ALL IN Sports Camps – During Spring Break and Summer Break sports camps are offered that focus on Character Development. These camps are a safe and fun alternative to being home unsupervised.