SERVICES
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
1
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Every child has a leader within them, each with a unique voice of leadership. At the Morgan Williams Youth Advocate Program Inc., we work to uncover those voices and empower children through self-advocacy. Some may take longer than others to discover their strengths or recognize their weaknesses and learn how to overcome them. Together, we help them achieve their goals, even those they never thought possible.
Through our mentoring program, we aim to inspire a new generation of leaders.
Life Skills Center:
Morgan Williams Youth Advocate Program Inc. aims to equip children with essential life skills to navigate today's world. As many of you know, numerous resources are no longer accessible in our communities. We want to help restore some of these resources by collaborating with churches, organizations, businesses, corporations, and educational services to give your child the best chance at success. While we may not have all the answers alone, together we can make a difference and save our youth. Let them thrive—they are the next generation!
2
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
AND ADVOCACY
Our organization collaborates with activists, advocacy groups, and peace organizations, while also supporting our community by fostering connections within it. Our children actively find their own ways to give back and advocate for themselves and others.
3
YOUTH-LED DISCUSSIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Mentorship/Support
At the Morgan Williams Youth Advocate Program Inc., we’ve created a child-focused environment. When the youth meet, they discuss topics that matter to them, design workshops to help them succeed in life, and plan trips to colleges and other places of interest.
We encourage our youth to take action if a topic deeply impacts them. Whether it’s educating, advocating, or helping others, we fully support them in following their hearts.
Providing support for youth on issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Morgan Williams Youth Advocate Program Inc. is proud to have received its Safe Zone Training Certification from Out Alliance. We are committed to understanding and supporting the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity faced by today's youth. We encourage young people to reach out to our organization with any concerns or questions about their sexual orientation, gender identity, or related comfort levels.
Crisis support and advocacy services for LGBTQ individuals affected by crime.
Our organization is part of The Roc Against Gun Violence Coalition, which has been working tirelessly to find ways to prevent gun violence and improve safety in our community. One of their initiatives is the new mobile crisis response unit, designed to assist with crisis intervention in collaboration with RPD and other preventive organizations. This unit is now available for use.
Rise Up Rochester, another organization we partner with, offers crisis intervention and grief support. They can be contacted at RiseUpRochester@yahoo.com.
Morgan Williams Youth Advocate Program Inc. empowers youth to advocate for themselves and others. We are an unbiased organization that recognizes the rights of the LGBTQ community as equally important as those of any other community or race.
24 hour crisis line
Safety planning
We recommend our youth to contact the Strong mobile crisis hotline at 585-529-3721, unless they are in immediate danger. In that case, please call 911.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). It is private.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Spanish: 1-888-628-9454. Deaf or hearing impaired: 1-800-799-4889.
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Crisis Text Line: Text "MHFA" to 741741 for free 24/7 crisis counseling.
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-723-TALK (8255); select #1. Deaf or hearing impaired: 1-800-799-4889.
Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-935-5990. Text "TalkWithUs" to 66746.
www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
National Sexual Assault Hotline and Online Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673).
https://hotline.rainn.org/online
Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse 24-hour online support:
https://helpingsurvivors.org/domestic-violence-and-sexual-abuse/
Morgan Williams Youth Advocate Program Inc. holds certifications in CPR, AED, and First Aid training, as well as Safe Serve certification for food handling. Our organization also completed a nutritional cooking class through Food Link, where we learned proper use of cooking utensils, nutrient values, and calorie intake for both processed and unprocessed foods. This enables us to teach children healthy cooking techniques and meal preparation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we prioritize social distancing, hand hygiene, and mask-wearing at all times. We provide masks and hand sanitizer for our children, and with our current small group size, we can effectively maintain social distancing practices.
Support for mental health.
Navigating legal and medical systems.
Information, education, and referral services.
The Morgan Williams Youth Advocate Program Inc. has completed support group facilitator training through the Mental Health Association. With these certifications, they are qualified to lead small support groups and work with individuals.
As of December 14, 2020, the Morgan Williams Youth Advocate Program is certified in Mental Health First Aid Training. They do not treat, diagnose, or prescribe conditions or medications but instead recognize and observe signs and behaviors associated with mental health challenges. They often serve as the first step in helping individuals seek and receive professional assistance.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline:
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
If you need help due to a crime, homicide, or domestic violence, the Victims Assistance Unit is available to assist. You can reach them at 585-428-6630. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
The unit offers:
- Crisis support services after a crime
- Home or hospital visits
- Explanation of the criminal justice system
- Referrals to other agencies
- Transportation to and from court for victims and witnesses who lack other means of transportation
- Assistance with filing NYS Crime Victims Compensation
Strong Hospital remains the leading hospital for trauma care. If someone has been injured by gunshot, fire, drowning, stabbing, strangulation, suffocation, poisoning, etc., contact emergency services immediately for the fastest response to the situation.
Emergency/Fire: 911
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
We aim to educate your children in every possible way, and if we are unable to meet their needs, we will connect them with other educational services. It is our responsibility and their right to access the necessary information and achieve success.
If you are in need of food, Word of The Cross Church operates a food pantry. Details are as follows:
Every Saturday
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
You may visit once a week, but are always welcome to return.
For any questions, please call the church at (585) 288-8120.