At Alternatives, bringing out the innate goodness and strength of young people — and helping other organizations and communities do the same — is our expertise. We are passionate about youth development work. Come learn more about our innovative and unique youth work in our program centers and special projects.

PROGRAM CENTERS:
The Creativity Center
Tapping into our creative selves helps to deepen and enrich our lives, adding meaning and a sense of possibility. The Creativity Center offers experiential workshops, social art projects, and a revolutionary drawing method that awaken young people and adults to creative approaches to their lives and their work.

The Monart Drawing Studio
We offer young people and adults alike the opportunity to explore their creative expression through a specific visual arts medium—realistic drawing. The extensive curriculum gives anyone the skills to draw successfully. Students feel safe to experiment and learn within an environment free of criticism or critique.

The Civic Engagement Center
Young people and communities are winners when young people get involved by sharing their talents and building their skills. We bring young people and their communities together through a variety of programs in partnership with the city, schools, and neighborhoods.

Uth ACT (Youth Achieving Change Together)
The purpose of Uth ACT is to involve a diverse body of youth in improving our community by supporting, promoting, and funding youth-led service and activism. Uth ACT is a Youth Network in partnership with other Hampton youth-led groups. We link young people to new opportunities where they can make a difference. Uth ACT is connected to seven other sites across America and is working to create youth-empowered social action.

Hampton’s Neighborhood Youth Advisory Board (NYAB)

NYAB is a youth- led group of teens who’s mission is “to improve Hampton’s neighborhoods by inspiring and involving youth in leadership, and creating a sense of unity between youth and adults”. 

The Training Center
At Alternatives, we give people the practical know-how to make their good ideas work, whether they are designing a program for young people or learning to speak in public. We offer comprehensive, professional, experiential training for young people and adults alike.

B.E.S.T. Initiative (Building Exemplary Systems for Training)
As a regional site of the National Training Institute’s BEST Initiative, we are part of a national effort to instill youth development approaches in organizations and communities and increase the professionalism of youth work.