Safe Summer Youth Empowerment
Community of Change Safe Summer Youth Empowerment Program is a 5‑week, trauma‑informed initiative designed to keep Portsmouth teens ages 14–17 safe, supported, and connected to positive opportunities during the highest‑risk months of the year. The program provides a stable, healing‑centered environment where young people receive meals, mentorship, emotional support, and hands‑on learning experiences that strengthen their confidence and decision‑making. Our trauma‑informed approach centers safety, trust, and belonging; we create a space where youth feel protected the moment they walk in, and we build relationships that honor their stories, strengths, and lived experiences. Through life skills, job readiness, financial literacy, leadership development, creative expression, and career exposure, youth gain tools they can use long after the summer ends. By offering consistent structure, caring adults, and meaningful opportunities weekly, Community of Change provides a safe alternative to street‑based risks, reduces exposure to violence, and helps young people feel seen, valued, and capable of building the future they deserve.