Our SIYS Programs
YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILL BUILDING
DREAM IT
PLAN IT
BUILD IT
Struggle Is Your Success (SIYS) is an entrepreneurial mindset development program designed for youth aged 14–25. Through engaging, activity-based experiences, the program empowers young people to discover and develop their potential, set meaningful goals, and build essential problem-solving skills. SIYS fosters a mindset of possibility, strengthens self-confidence, and creates a sense of belonging among peers who share similar challenges. By enhancing social and emotional competencies, SIYS prepares youth to unlock their full potential and thrive as resilient entrepreneurs
We provide quality programming in Entrepreneurship development to youth aged 14 to 25 years old who commit to participating in community and experiential learning, and learning new skills for their future employment, education, and community-based giving projects. This document outlines a new program design for SIYS Programming and includes an updated literature review, needs assessment, program rationale, change strategies, and outcomes.
SIYS “Dream it, Plan it, Build it” Program
“Dream it, Plan it, Build it” (DPB) is a 5-week program offered twice weekly by SIYS, designed to empower at-risk youth through mentorship and hands-on training from professionals in business, corrections, and community service. DPB provides participants with stable, supportive relationships that shape their development and positively influence their life paths.
Core Benefits
Guidance and Support: Mentors help youth navigate school, relationships, and career challenges, offering role models and positive support often lacking in their immediate environment.
Academic and Career Success: Mentored youth show improved school attendance, academic performance, and career ambitions, gaining essential skills and insights for future success.
Enhanced Social and Emotional Growth: Mentorship boosts resilience, self-confidence, and communication skills, providing youth with a safe space to discuss personal challenges.
Reduced Risk of Negative Behaviors: DPB’s mentorship lowers youth engagement in risky behaviors, helping them set positive goals and make constructive choices.
Encouragement and Motivation: Mentors act as positive influences, inspiring youth to stay motivated, recognize their potential, and pursue their dreams.
Long-Term Impact: The benefits of mentorship often extend into adulthood, equipping youth to make better life choices and contribute positively to society.
SIYS’s Unique Approach: Adding Entrepreneurial Skills
DPB also includes entrepreneurial training, encouraging youth to become self-sufficient and explore new career paths.
Encourages Self-Sufficiency: Entrepreneurial skills teach creative thinking, problem-solving, and self-reliance, empowering youth to create their own opportunities.
Financial Literacy: Youth learn budgeting and financial basics, building a foundation for financial independence and responsible money management.
Builds Confidence and Resilience: Managing small projects helps youth build confidence, handle setbacks, and stay adaptable.
Networking and Alternative Pathways: DPB offers access to a supportive network, introducing youth to alternative career paths and community connections.
Inspires Community Leadership: With newfound confidence, youth can become community role models, fostering a cycle of mentorship and positive change.
Through SIYS’s “Dream it, Plan it, Build it” program, at-risk youth gain valuable mentorship, life skills, and entrepreneurial training, empowering them to build successful, fulfilling futures.
Project Goals
At SIYS, our mission and vision for youth strongly align with three core areas: leadership and impact, employment and innovation, and skills and learning. SIYS is dedicated to addressing the needs expressed by young people who seek more mentorship, leadership, and skill-building opportunities to make a meaningful impact in their communities. Our 5-week program empowers youth to build agency and confidence, working with diverse populations and communities, mastering new skill sets, and leveraging advanced software technologies to drive positive change.
Objective
To empower youth to “unearth their potential” by transforming their stories of struggle into lessons of resilience and hope, we aim to strengthen their core skills across imagination, planning, and action. Youth will learn to envision a business idea (creativity and innovation), plan its creation (problem-solving and goal-setting), and bring it to life as a structured, actionable plan (building a solid foundation). Finally, they will present their ideas to peers, developing essential public speaking skills.
Program Goal:
To build SIYS’s capacity to create and deliver an impactful program tailored to youth connected through community-based organizations or those from the broader community seeking an entrepreneurial mindset. Our objective is to deliver three programs monthly, each with 5-10 participants, effectively reaching 15-30 youth per month. Through this program, we aim to cultivate a values-driven mindset and empower youth with an entrepreneurial outlook.