WHO WE ARE
The Aptos Community Youth Program (ACYP) is a community based youth empowerment program for middle and high school youth in Santa Cruz County. We provide opportunities for youth to become change agents in their local community, and develop valuable leadership skills along the way. By becoming a member of ACYP, students have the opportunity to connect their gifts and passions with the needs of our community, and participate in meaningful projects and experiences alongside their peers. We seek to build community and belonging among youth in Aptos area schools through youth empowerment and leadership.
About Our Program
BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE APTOS COMMUNITY YOUTH PROGRAM
Our program operates on a flexible membership structure where middle and high school students who join the program are encouraged to participate in activities, projects, and events that are of interest to them and carve their own unique path in our program. By becoming a member, youth have access to our leadership projects, skill building classes, community service opportunities, social events, after school programs, and access to our ACYP student lounge in Aptos. Membership is FREE!
If you would like to join please reach out to our Director Lisa Freeman community-youth@st-john-aptos.org (please use a non school email address) to receive a copy of our parent/guardian registration form,
YOUTH LED LEADERSHIP PROJECTS AND EXPERIENCES
In our program, students are encouraged to collaborate with their peers to design and lead innovative community projects to benefit our community. In May 2021, seeing a need for more youth media outlets, a team of students launched our Gen Impact: Aptos Community Youth Program podcast in order to provide an informative and entertaining positive media outlet for youth in our community. We also participate in community organizing work, leadership trainings, and offer service and volunteer projects throughout the year.
CREATIVE ARTS ENGAGEMENT
Our students partner with local artists to create beautiful unique art pieces for our community. Our youth artists have engaged in photography, visual art, stitching, pottery, and other mediums of art. We also offer community engaged projects where our youth contribute art that transforms a place in our community with art that uplifts youth voice and creativity. You can read more about our community projects below.
APTOS COMMUNITY YOUTH PROGRAM AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM AT APTOS JUNIOR HIGH
Our Afterschool Program at Aptos Junior High is available Monday-Thursday from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in our Lounge on campus at Aptos Junior High School. Youth members enjoy a place to rest and recharge after school along with leadership development, art projects, fun activities, and planning service projects in our community.
EMAIL LISA TO REGISTER YOUR STUDENT FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR!
APTOS COMMUNITY YOUTH PROGRAM HIGH SCHOOL OUTREACH CLUB
Our high school students are invited to be apart of the ACYP Outreach Club at Aptos High School which is run by student club leaders and supported by a faculty advisor at Aptos High. The club serves as the think tank for our program for the work students would like to do in the community as well as planning fun social events, and creative projects.
Non Aptos High School students are welcome to participate in all events that are organized.
EMAIL LISA USING NON SCHOOL EMAIL TO GET ACCESS TO THE GOOGLE CLASSROOM CODE.