Services & Classes - Youth Programs

The Youth Programs of Christ United Church are presented for the benefit of the local community, the city, the state, and the nation. These various programs are to be brought to perfection to serve as local models that can be replicated anywhere.

The boundless energy of our youth, when undirected or misdirected, can turn towards mischief, drugs and crime — as is too much the case these days. The Community Youth Programs of Christ United Church have been established to direct and redirect that energy into interesting, constructive, and positive activities. These programs will help foster a positive growing experience for our youth by exposing them to activities and opportunities that may not be ordinarily accessible in their communities.

Christ United Church — and everyone involved with this Ministry — would like to invite you to participate in any of these programs, to help and encourage our youth, who face tremendous challenges in today’s world.

The Intercultural Youth Society For the Performing Arts

The I.Y.S. involves youth in music, dance, and drama. It includes the Intercultural Youth Choir of New York. It is formed to train youth of various cultures and creeds in the disciplines of the performing arts, exposing them to music and songs of various cultures. The training is planned to include meeting and working with various celebrities and professionals in the theatre and entertainment fields. They are to perform regularly throughout the community and the city — and to travel as they, and the opportunity, develop.

Youth Oratorical Society

The power of thought and communication combine to train our youth in this most challenging discipline. Debate teams, forensic clubs, and other speaking presentations will assist the youth to clearly and distinctly express themselves in a positive fashion.

Tutoring for Students (Elementary through College)

This will prevent many education "drop-outs.” In many homes, students do not have anyone capable of helping them with their schoolwork. We call upon other advanced students, collegians, college graduates, and professionals to give service in tutoring and mentoring. It is intended that each young person that participates in these activities will be interviewed and counseled on an on-going basis to ascertain his/her total well-being, including social and educational progress.

Youth Mentors for Boys and Girls

The aim is to bring the youth together with stable and caring adults, in a nurturing one-on-one relationship. Adults will act as role models and encouragers. Our motto: “Every female, a lady; Every male, a gentleman.” To this end we will teach by example. Youth will also be taught that each person is to become a self-supporting, contributing member of society.

Computer Learning Centers in Homes and Various Communities

The time is fast approaching when a person who does not know how to use a computer will be functionally illiterate! Rather than mastering only the latest computer game, the time has come to stress the importance of writing computer programs, spread sheets, desk-top publishing, graphic arts, and word processing to prepare our youth for now, as well as the future.

Sex Education (Only with permission of parent or guardian)

"Man to Man" (Males only); and "Woman to Woman" (females only) sex education sessions are presented so that youth will get CORRECT, responsible information about sex, and related subjects. Youth are taught about abstinence; AIDS and STD prevention; the responsibility of sex, motherhood and fatherhood. We present marriage as the ideal context for sex, and bearing and rearing children in stable families.

Young Married Couples Society

The importance of family life becomes more obvious in today’s world. The Young Married Couples Society provides seminars, workshops and support to strengthen the ties of marriage, while mentoring, and providing strong examples of positive relationships to our youth.

Young Professionals Society

This program allows our professionals the opportunity to learn how to strengthen their credibility, clout, and careers through study and networking, while giving back to the community through voluntary service and fellowship with the youth.

Collegians Society

Promoting, encouraging and fostering relationships between our collegians and high school students is vital. Our college students and graduates make great tutors and mentors for our youth when they share their experiences, in preparation for others to follow.

The "Another Chance" Program

“Another Chance” is a program started by Rev. Ike and Christ United Church, to help newly-released prisoners get readjusted to life outside prison, and to become self-supporting, contributing members of society. We begin counseling them before their release, helping to arrange housing, jobs, travel as necessary, and education and skill training as they adjust to life on the “outside.”

"A Greater Chance" Program

"A Greater Chance" is organized to give youth positive channels for directing their boundless energy, through the creative and performing arts, as well as by tutoring and mentoring. Hopefully, as youth are given “A Greater Chance,” they will not fall into the criminal justice system and need “Another Chance.”

"A Golden Opportunity"

This program is organized to prepare and make minority youth aware of the many Golden Opportunities yet available, such as scholarships to various schools, colleges, and camps; internships, fellowships, jobs and other opportunities that are available to them.

Let us know how YOU wish to serve, or be served by any of these programs. Is there a young person you know who would benefit from these activities? Refer him/her to us!

Contact: Christ United Church at (212) 568-6700.

Christ United Church, The Palace Cathedral, 4140 Broadway at 175th Street, New York City, operates under the auspices of United Christian Evangelistic Association. Dr. Frederick Eikerenkoetter (“Rev. Ike”), Senior Minister.

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Weekly General Schedule

Youth Programs