Step Up Banner

The Step Up! Program has a unique method of mentoring the city’s “at risk” male population. The program is designed to bring hope to the male population. The Director mentors the young men where they are at the moment in their life. The young men learn how to believe in themselves, even when their back is up against the wall, and they cannot see their way through difficult times. 

Step Up has an open-door policy, where the young men can come into the office and sit down for One-On-One, Employment Training-Tutoring-Family Counseling, and Academic Support. Along with the open-door policy, students know the Director is willing to meet them anywhere to service them with any problem. 

The program also works close with the Mount Vernon School District and Mount Vernon Police Department, to improve relationships with people in authority. As well as to refrain from using violence and other illegal means to solve a problem.  

The Step Up! Program has two cycles.  Click below to learn more.

  • Step Up! After School

  • Step Up! Summer Academy

SU Program Banner

The Step Up! program addresses the needs of the city's most at-risk African-American and Hispanic makes, ages 7 to 17 through mentoring, youth leadership, job readiness training and public speaking.  The youth involved in this program are placed in afterschool employment as an alternative to unsupervised time.  In addition, youth are taken on educational field trips and other fun and cultural outings. 

Program Locations

LOCATION ADDRESS DAY(S) TIME
Leadership Academy (Columbus) 455 N. High Street, Mount Vernon, NY 10552 Monday 10:30am - 3:00pm
Grimes Elementary 58 S. 10th Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550 Tuesday 9:00am - 11:00am
Edward Williams Elementary 9 Union Lane, Mount Vernon, NY 10553 Tuesday 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rebecca Turner Elementary 625 S. 4th Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550 Thursday 8:30am - 12:00pm
Hamilton Elementary 20 Oak Street, Mount Vernon, NY 10550 Thursday 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Cecil H. Parker Elementary 461 S. 6th Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550 Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm
Graham Elementary 421 E. 5th Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10553 Friday 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Pennington School 20 Fairway St, Mt Vernon, NY 10552 Monday 10am - 12pm
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Step Up Summer Banner

The Step Up! Summer Academy is a five-week program designed to help Mount Vernon's male population prepare for their futures.  Participants develop leadership, social, and communication skills, become self-sufficient, and build self-esteem through unique methods of mentoring and self-assessments.  

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