Growth & Development Services, Inc. (GDS) is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that was established to give teenagers who are challenged by emotional, behavioral, and social problems the opportunity to reach their potential. GDS provides adolescents with positive life experiences, practical skill, and the support of caring adults and peers.

GDS Mission:

To empower individuals, families, and communities to reach their potential!

Program Services:

Since its inception, Growth & Development Services has been a leader in the field of providing therapeutic and recreational services to teens an families. Through the Reach Your Potential (RYP) System our program has a proven record of success in some of the most challenged urban communities in the New York, Metropolitan area. GDS has two distinct components: The Training Institute and Counseling Services.

Training Institute:

There is an overwhelming need to support youth workers (those individuals working with youth in professional settings) with the tools they need to successfully address the challenges faced by the population they serve. With this in mind, GDS has developed the Training Institute. Its goal is to educate mental health professinals, teachers, guidance counselors and college students in the helping professions about effective approaches and strategies to working with their clients.

Our teen and professional testimonials and program outcome measures show that GDS is at the forefront of working in this area. Growth & Develpoment Services is one of the most successful programs in working with "at-risk" teenagers in some of the toughest neighborhoods in New York, Metropolitan area. Our goal is to pass along our model of sucess to others in the field of helping teens reach their potential. The proposed courses at the Training Institute would include a focus on the use of the Reach Your Potential System, a comprehensive model developed by Dr. Gary Altheim that he honed over his more than 20 years of experience as a clinical psycologist and youth worker.

Counseling Services:

There is a lack of therapeutic and social services for individuals and families in desperate need of assistance in New York City. Teens and their families in the community we serve are confronted with everyday hardships such as: gang violence, drugs, and poor education. The aforementioned challenges coupled with being a "teenager" make our work essential to the community. GDS and its staff of mental health professionals provide psychological and social services to teens and families in most need. Our program is geared to provide emotional support through issues such as: depression, low self-esteem, poor social skills, and acting out behavior.

As our program outcomes demonstrate GDS has unparalleled success in combatting the issues that our community faces. Counseling Services will continue to offer the same effective, quality work that has made us so successful. The program will include: individual, family, and group counseling. As well as, advocacy and referral; caregiver support, pet-assisted therapy, and day/overnight retreats.

Program Outcomes:

Since 1996, Growth & Development Services has utilized program outcome measures to demonsrate its success. Outcome statistics prove that GDS programs help transform the lives of the clients they serve. GDS' participants have improved their mental health, social behavior, and academic standing.

The statistics show that GDS teens:

• have a 92% high school graduation rate, which is 30% higher than the New York City rate
• 91% of teens report feeling "happier", and having increased self-esteem
• 92% of teens report being "less impulsive" and "more competent"
• reduce their potential for involvement in crime.

Testimonials also demonstrate the power of our programs. Teens and families in New York City are in desperate need of Growth & Development Services. The Training Institute and Counseling Services are essential programs that will empower individuals, families, and communities to reach their potential!