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The Africentric Personal Development Shop (APDS) news and events page highlights upcoming events, important news updates, APDS outreach and the communal activities we sponsor and support.

APDS Summer Enrichment Program

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S.M.A.R.T 2.0 Summer Enrichment Program

 

Summer is almost here once again and as always, we are excited to get to know your child and provide a safe and fun atmosphere. APDS is providing the S.M.A.R.T 2.0 Summer Enrichment Program at Millennium Community School. S.M.A.R.T 2.0 Summer Enrichment Program will be held daily for nine weeks beginning Monday, June 05, 2023, and ending Friday, August 04, 2023.

Our capacity is 120 campers, ages 6 to 12 years old, to participate in the program. You will receive more information about the S.M.A.R.T. 2.0 Summer Enrichment Program curriculum, activities, and field trips during the parent meeting. Please review the following program details:

  • Drop-off time will be no earlier than 7:30AM and pick-up no later than 6:00PM. (Fees will apply after 6:01PM).
  • The cost to enroll will be based on a two-tier, one- time enrollment fee for the entire summer program (regardless of how few weeks your child attends). The cost is $300.00 for those families’ (total household and family size) whose income is at or below the 275% of FPL (Federal Poverty Level) and $450.00 above 275% FPL (please see attached chart).
  • We are allocating thirty (30) enrollment slots for those whose households’ income is at or above the 275%. (Please see chart below).
  • Breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and most supplies are included.
  • There are no prorated fees, nor will we provide any scholarships. Once S.M.A.R.T 2.0 Summer Enrichment Program begins, all payments are non-refundable. Also, camp enrollment fees are not transferable to another child.
  • Mandatory Virtual Parent Meetings will be Monday, May 22, 2023Enrollment begins Monday, April 03, 2023, from 12:00PM – 6:00PM at APDS. A Parent/Guardian must submit a completed enrollment package and pay the enrollment fee of $300.00 or $450.00 to APDS before the student is enrolled in the program. Incomplete applications will not be accepted, no exceptions.
 

Enrollment forms will be available at the front desk of APDS (1409 E Livingston Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43205) for your convenience.

The following are additional requirements:

  • Birth certificate.
  • Most recent report cards.
  • Up to date shot records.
  • Proof of income (ex. 2 paycheck stubs or reward letter from TANF/SSI/etc.).
  • APDS accepts cash (It must be the exact amount change will not be provided), checks, and credit cards.
  • here are no prorated fees, nor will we provide any scholarships. Once S.M.A.R.T 2.0 Summer Enrichment Program begins, all payments are non-refundable. Also, camp enrollment fees are not transferable to another child.

Please call the office at 614-253-4448 to set your appointment for S.M.A.R.T 2.0 Summer Enrichment Program enrollment.

We look forward to seeing you all soon!

 

UCANN Summer Program Applications

UCANN Summer Program Applications are now open until May 15! UCANN is dedicated to providing young people with the necessary tools to become champions of nonviolence.     CIVIC ENGAGEMENT At UCANN, we pride ourselves on civic engagement. We strive to bring awareness to the critical issues impacting the youth in our communities and actively work towards improving those issues. UCANN aims to provide the best youth projects, community recourses, and support. LEARN MORE at www.ucannapds.org     UCANN SERVE: Civic Engagement/Mentorship Summer Program Unified Community and Neighborhood Network, also known as UCANN is focused on providing youth with the necessary tools to become champions of nonviolence. With goal of creating a vibrant, innovative and safe community.

UCANN Serve (Ages 11-13): Civic Engagement/Mentorship 

    UCANN LEAD: Leadership Development/Civic Engagement Summer Program UCANN operates under a “youth-centered” approach which empowers and inspires the youth to participate and conduct projects that directly impact their communities. UCAAN’s youth-centered approach encourages youth to be in charge of their destiny through improving their self-efficacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

UCANN Lead ( Ages 14-17): Leadership Development/Civic Engagement

 

APDS 34th Anniversary Celebration

For their Anniversary celebration, the Africentric Personal Development Shop, Inc. (APDS) recognized 34 years of empowering lives!

As central Ohio continues to experience an increase in domestic violence, as well as substance use disorder, in October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, APDS raised awareness about domestic violence, talking real about its impact on families and community and offering solutions as they encourage the community to BREAK THE SILENCE.

 

APDS celebrated its 34th Anniversary with a grand Luncheon, held at the Boat House at Confluence Park, on Thursday, October 27, 2022.

Guests not only learned about APDS, the work we do, our programs, counseling and other services, but, they heard first-hand reports from experts, and those who experienced and survived domestic violence. 

APDS remains at the forefront of confronting domestic violence and substance use disorder in the Black community and beyond –where they have been empowering lives and transforming communities for 34 years. Since its inception, APDS has:
  • Provided direct services to over 23,000 families.
  • Offered a 9-week summer day camp for youth with a curriculum for fun, social-emotional learning, character development, and prevention of youth becoming clients of agencies like APDS
  • Provided financial support to youth pursuing careers in mental health, psychology, psychiatry, and other related healthcare professions through the APDS College Scholarship Fund.
Attendees were treated to a sumptuous meal, and a great time was had by all!

NNIVERSARY-PHOTO Luncheon

THANKS to our TITLE SPONSOR The Griffin Family Foundation,

SILVER SPONSORS: Franklin County Children Services and The Saunders PR Group

and BRONZE SPONSORS: Telhio Credit UnionFranklin County Board of Commissioners, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, we were able to raise more than $20,000.00 in donations to help fight domestic violence in the community.

 

 

For more information, contact us at (614)253-4448, or in person at APDS: 1409 E. Livingston Avenue, Columbus OH, 43205 (Across from the Driving Park Library. In the ally behind the building).

       

Driving Park treatment center a ‘Beacon of Light’!

‘Making Families Healthier and Safer’ is the driving force at Africentric Personal Development Shop, Inc. (APDS). Erica Thompson, Columbus Dispatch Journalist, did an awesome job of accentuating the essence of APDS in her article released online today at Dispatch.com. The link to the story is listed below. The “paper print” version will be released soon in The Columbus Dispatch newspaper. A special thanks to Erica Thompson and The Columbus Dispatch News for their coverage of APDS and the Driving Park Area Community. www.dispatch.com/story/business/2021/12/30/africentric-personal-development-shop-treatment-center-driving-park/6507397001/

APDS hones its services to meet community needs

While the Africentric Personal Development Shop may not be well known by the Greater Columbus community, CEO Jerry Saunders Sr. says it has the most important factor down — street credibility. Since 1988, the Near East Side nonprofit has quietly helped take care of the community. The behavioral health care center specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy and education classes to prevent, treat and eliminate substance abuse and domestic violence. Recently, APDS focused on its top three programs — substance abuse outpatient treatment, domestic violence intervention education for male batterers and youth prevention services through a summer day camp. By paring back its broader approach, the nonprofit hopes to make a bigger impact, Saunders says. “My passion is to help people help themselves,” he says, adding that APDS has found that it is important to treat the entire family, so he’d like to add family therapy programs in the future. Read Article in the publication SMART BUSINESS »»»