Archived Program:New Heights
Download 2005 Summer Application here!
New Heights is the Seacoast’s largest, most comprehensive out-of-school
program for young people between the ages of 12 to 18. Each year, New
Heights provides fun, healthy activities and adventures for more than
1,000 adolescents. A program of the Seacoast Mental Health Center, it
is guided by a volunteer community advisory board. The new partnership
with the UNH Adolescence Resource Center is a step forward in the work
to connect the worlds of adolescence – families, schools, peers,
communities, organizations, and services – to increase positive
outcomes for our youth.
Another new collaboration is an after school homework club that includes enrichment activities called Portsmouth Plus. Funded through the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, the program combines extra help with homework at the Portsmouth Middle School with activities at New Heights in support of this extra learning. Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Swift Water Girl Scouts also participate in this groundbreaking effort to combine resources for the benefit of adolescents.
Headquartered in Portsmouth’s beautiful Community Campus, a professional staff, with degrees in education, teaching, social work, psychology and more, advances the mission of New Heights to assist Seacoast youth in developing competence, character, confidence, and resiliency for a healthy and successful adulthood. Self-esteem enhancing programs help young people make healthy choices.
A wilderness expedition leader in the Pacific Northwest for three summers, her experiences include teaching sixth grade and working in the Portsmouth school system as a special education classroom teacher. With a bachelor’s degree in outdoor education (plus a minor in elementary education) and her master’s in special education from the University of New Hampshire, Schwartz works to provide an environment in which youth learn to identify, negotiate, and manage challenges - skills that empower and develop character. “Our approach includes youth as partners in policy development and program planning to constantly improve our services and add to their senses of power,” says Schwartz.
Ongoing opportunities for participants include outdoor adventures, nature exploration, visits with older adults, and trips to local attractions and events. At the ever-popular Teen Center, “hang-time” participants can relax after school with friends and enjoy a game of pool, air hockey, ping pong, or just sit and chat. Among the many activities are: rock climbing, mountain biking, surfing, skiing, hiking, basketball, dodge ball, cooking club, Sages of RPG (role playing games), D.J.-ing with Jeff, high school coffeehouse, stilting, animation station, creative arts and more.
“Young
people thrive in our safe environment that provides supportive guidance
with consistently enforced expectations and guidelines,” says Dave
Cohen, assistant program director, who’s been with New Heights for
11 years. “We offer opportunities to develop useful skills and set
realistic goals. We hope to positively influence as many youth as possible
about making smart, informed decisions. Our participants gain respect
for themselves, others, and their environment.”
Research shows that habits formed in middle school (whether healthy or unhealthy) have large influences on continuing lifestyle choices during high school and college. After school programs have been proved to help prevent suicide, pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, drug and alcohol abuse, conflicts between peers, vandalism and other misbehaviors. Gains include better emotional adjustment, better use of time, fewer school absences, improved attitudes and relationships, higher educational aspirations, increased sense of competence and greater feelings of belonging.
New Heights is funded by major grants from the Foundation for Seacoast Health, the State of New Hampshire Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Recovery, United Way of the Greater Seacoast and the City of Portsmouth, with additional support from businesses, foundations and individuals.
We rely on the generosity of the community in order to serve the needs of Seacoast area youth. A nonprofit organization, New Heights encourages and accepts charitable donations, planned gifts, in-kind donations and gifts of appreciated assets. For more information about how you can help please contact Tracey Tucker, executive director, at (603) 422-8235 or email newheights@communitycampus.org.
New Heights Home Page
Archived Programs
Youth Organizations/p>
University of New Hampshire - Pettee Hall - 55 College Road - Durham, NH 03824 7/7/05