Historical Background

Adolescent Intervention Network, Inc. (AIN), a grassroots not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1997 by Joanne Jones, M.Ed., a former Philadelphia school teacher and mother of four. As a parent and community advocate, she was determined to make a difference in the lives of inner city youth and families by instilling in them a sense of self worth and cultural respect. Concerned about the influence of a popular materialistic subculture, that glamorizes drug use, promotes crime, discourages academic achievement, and mocks individuality and leadership, she contacted Mrs. Veronica Manley, a fellow advocate for youth. Together they developed a program called “Youth Making Positive Choices” (YMPC), which teaches disadvantage youth how to make positive life choices through a series of culturally enriching, interactive workshops and programs that enable youth to foster social change, all while promoting best practices in the field of youth development.

Since 1997, AIN has serviced more than 200 Philadelphia youth, 10 through 18, attending John Bartram High School, John P. Turner Middle School, and S. Weir Mitchell Elementary School. In addition, AIN provided leadership training to 57 youth through the Philadelphia Free Library system. Further, in 2002, AIN collaborated with University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business to develop a self-esteem workbook entitled “Get Set with Self Esteem.” More currently, AIN provided YMPC prevention workshops to 60 adjudicated youth at Delta Community Family Services and Bethanna Foster Care and Adoption Agency.

Mission:

Adolescent Intervention Network is committed to reinforcing healthy behaviors, positive self-development and social values by providing services that strengthen youth, families and communities.

AIN provides services such as self-esteem workshops, mentoring, tutoring and afterschool programs in a safe, healthy, and drug free environment. Each participant in the program will gain knowledge of how to eliminate negative thoughts and self-defeating behaviors and learn esteem-building skills to gain confidence in responding to life’s challenges.

As a result of AIN’s mission, stems the “Youth Making Positive Choices” workshops. The four core workshops are:

1) The Leader in You.

2) Resolving Inner/Outer Conflicts.

3) In Who’s Image?

4) Becoming Your Own Best Friend.

The “Youth Making Positive Choices” Program was implemented to help youth resist negative peer pressure often celebrated in urban communities throughout Philadelphia. The program promotes higher education, spiritual growth, self-respect, and respect for adults, community and peers. Additionally, AIN realizes that only when youth learn to identify the triggers that allow them to continually victimize themselves, will they be able to successfully begin to make positive life choices.