Universal Visions

Universal Visions is a dynamic incentive based after-school program for males in grades 9 and 10 in the greater Washington, D.C. area. We achieve our reputable success rate with emphasis on a strategic combination of academic enrichment, adult mentorship, and physical fitness programs, as well as the utilization of a comprehensive panel discussion series. We call our program “Operation: Second Chance”.

Individuals who enter our program are those who show a consistent struggle with problematic behavioral tendencies and/or poor test/examination scores at their respective institutions.

With the combination of our two core initiatives, Operation: Second Chance not only gets students away from home and off the streets where they sit idle and unproductive, yet impressionable during their time away from school; but gives underachieving students a means by which to improve in the classroom and prepare to become viable and attractive applicants for the increasingly competitive admissions requirements of colleges and universities.

At Universal Visions, changing lives is NOT an option, it's a commitment. With our vow at the forefront of every decision we make, below is an intricate view as to why UV is so special, more importantly, the role that each component plays in achieving groundbreaking results with our scholars:

MENTORING

Mentoring is an important aspect of what we do here at Universal Visions. It provides a medium for the children to not only interact with positive individuals, but give the children additional support as they develop into young adults. The programs at Universal Visions are maintained by responsible, caring and nurturing adults who have acquired knowledge through education and real-life experiences. With passion and compassion, the level of intervention we provide gives the youths a greater opportunity for sustained success. Today, 25% of children live with a single parent, and greater than one-half of children will live with only one parent before they are 18. Through effective mentoring strategies and tactics, Universal Visions intends to bridge the social and emotional gaps that exist between society, and the youth we serve. Activities include sporting events, community service initiatives, college campus visits, and team building exercises. Remember, our mentors are HERE to BE THERE for your child.

ATHLETICS

Sports have long been a proven means of assisting adolescents with their personal development. Through athletics, kids learn important life-lessons such as dedication, sacrifice, team-work, persistence, perseverance, competition, response to challenges, development of goals, etc. The lessons learned on a field or court easily translate to “Real-World” situations giving people self-confidence, assurance, and poise in business and social environments. Additionally, physical stimulation and activity have become increasingly imperative as TV, Internet, and Video Games are keeping children indoors resulting in a serious decline in health among youth. Universal Visions utilizes sports as a constructive means of bringing these concepts to the forefront which we feel cross over to positive, tangible results in what ever the child chooses to endeavor.

ACADEMICS

At Universal Visions, we subscribe to the theory that through academics, schooling, and instruction, you not only increase a child’s ability to learn and acquire knowledge, but you also enhance their ability to dream, imagine, and explore. Statistics show that kids who drop out of school increase their chances of teen pregnancy, illegal drug usage, and reliance of the welfare system. This diminishes the chances that the individual will be successful, proving just how vital academics are. We place a great amount of emphasis on achievement in all facets of academia including mathematics, social studies, language literacy and the sciences. Through the combination of individualized attention and a secure learning environment, we can have an immeasurable effect on the child. To that end, we provide comprehensive techniques to develop study habits and assist with academic development which render rewarding results that not only show up in the classroom, but last a lifetime.

FORUMS

At Universal Visions, our goal is to be a catalyst for the adolescent, continuing to battle on the front lines of stereotypes of our presumed inability to succeed and of the societal barriers that have allowed mediocrity and failure to become the norm rather than the exception among our own. In that vein, we utilize the "Steel Sharpens Steel" panel discussion/forum series as a way to openly talk about issues that are otherwise excluded in our community. In our eyes, it’s not enough just to create viable solutions; we must also draw attention to the problem. These summits encompass several sensitive topics including drugs, sex, attitudes towards women, violence, peer pressure, male presence (or lack thereof) in the home, financial literacy, education, opportunities, et cetera, and the importance of mindful knowledge in each capacity. Through interactive tactics and fresh ideas, we have the ability to permeate the child's mind and soul which, in turn, has a constructive impact on the lives of each kid who walks through our doors.