Youth Opportunity

Developed specifically to enhance members’ learning success, Project Learn offers a variety of approaches to reinforce the skills and knowledge youth learn at school. Through Project Learn, Club staff use all the areas and programs in the Club to create opportunities for high-yield learning activities, including leisure reading, writing activities, discussions with knowledgeable adults, helping others, homework help, tutoring, and games that develop young people’s cognitive skills.

Boys and girls in grades K-5 can join the Cub Scout program where, with their families, they learn the basics of outdoor skills, character education, and their roles in the community. In Scouts BSA, these same boys and girls become young men and women through peer leadership, cooperative learning, expanded outdoor adventure, and adult mentorship. In their high school years, Scouts may choose to participate in Exploring (workforce development), Venturing (advanced high adventure), or Sea Scouts (nautical adventure/Coast Guard auxiliary).

East Texas CASA recruits, trains, & supports volunteers to advocate for abused & neglected children in Gregg, Rusk & Upshur counties that have been removed from their homes & placed into the foster care system. Their volunteers provide a voice in the court system for the children they serve & ensure that every child's educational, psychological, physical, and social needs are being met during their time in foster care. East Texas CASA's mission is to provide an advocate for every child removed from their home & placed into care. As they strive to attain this outcome, they also focus on the need for highly effective advocacy by empowering our volunteers with continuing education resources, speakers, & training programs so that they are equipped every time they walk into a courtroom or into a child's placement.

GTS provides a safe, neutral, and friendly environment that encourages interaction between non-custodial parents & their children. The program allows a parent the ability to interact with their child when they may not otherwise be allowed to based on court-ordered restrictions. It does this by utilizing trained volunteers to observe the visits & record the interactions of the parents & children for court records if needed at later hearings. GTS fosters those vital connections with the hope that down the road the parents will manage these visits on their own and provides a safety net at an insecure time.

ETCADA Youth Transition Center exists to facilitate multiple needs of homeless and at-risk young people in poverty. The center connects young people with a myriad of services to address and overcome all barriers and obstacles so they can choose the right ‘door’ for a successful future. Staff assists young people with one-on-one case management to develop a Transition Plan that can include a variety of types of training, education, and career readiness. The center’s focus is on developing job skills, financial literacy, gainful employment, career path for employment improvement, and learning the importance of earning a living to gain independence. Addressing barriers to success may require trauma counseling, securing funding to support the whole program, overseeing operations and programs to ensure quality services meet regulatory guidelines.

Aspire Mentoring Program seeks to address teen pregnancy, teen substance abuse, school failure, and disengagement from school through positive adult relationships, inspiring hope, and encouragement. Caring adult mentors are screened, trained, and matched with young people facing life challenges and in need of extra adult support. Mentees are referred to the program by school counselors, parents/caregivers, or by their friends. Mentors and mentees typically meet once each week at the school campuses during the lunch period and outside of school hours for a minimum of 4 hours per month.

Circle of Friends (COF) is a weekend retreat designed for families of children with developmental disabilities. Each child is paired with a trained volunteer “buddy,” allowing caregivers to enjoy meaningful rest and community, knowing their child is safe and supported nearby.

Siblings participate in camp alongside everyone else. From creative play to shared meals and stories, COF creates a loving, judgment-free space where every family member feels seen, celebrated, and renewed.

This unique ministry is made possible through generous grants and partnerships, offering families time to recharge, reconnect, and experience the love of Christ in a supportive camp environment.

Through a partnership with Longview ISD, GSNETX provides educational sessions during the school day and Saturday experiences such as workshops, field trips, and college visits. The Saturday sessions allow girls the chance to participate in traditional troop activities among their peers which include girls from other Longview ISD Middle schools. These free programs include topics such as healthy living, life skills, college preparation, and financial literacy. Girls also are provided opportunities to participate in community service projects. Girls get the opportunity to participate in girl-led, cooperative, and hands-on processes that create high-quality experiences conducive to learning.

With admission to Longview World of Wonders, we offer many hands-on educational opportunities and special programming. Our activities and exhibits are tailored to foster curiosity and creativity and develop a lifelong love of learning. Our permanent exhibits provide fine motor skill development and STEM-focused learning, while our special programs and events provide learning opportunities through experiential play. We offer in-house classes and workshops, including culinary arts classes and maker space guided learning. During the summer, we offer registered classes in many topics, including Weather, Space, Science, and Culinary Arts. Currently, LongviewWOW only requires participants to show their EBT or SNAP card for entry.

LongviewWOW is developing hands-on STEM programming to spark curiosity and inspire kids from preschool to middle school to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Our two key initiatives include:

• STEM Career Exploration: Interactive events led by local professionals who guide kids through fun, career-focused activities.

• Girls in STEM Pop-Ups: Special workshops during public hours featuring women in STEM who share their experiences and lead hands-on experiments.

Through real-world connections and playful learning, we are helping kids see themselves as future scientists, engineers, and innovators.

The ETLC’s Adult Basic Literacy/ESL program assists clients ages 16 and above ranging in different skill levels and needs. ESL clients receive instruction to improve communication, reading, and writing skills in English. Other clients seek help preparing to take the exam to earn their High School Equivalency or GED. All clients are assessed, and individualized learning plans are developed. Instruction is given by trained volunteer tutors, staff, and through ETLC’s computer learning centers.

SeeSaw Children's Place is a licensed childcare/after-school program offering scholarships to qualifying parents, grandparents/guardians to assist them in affording a safe, fun place for their children while they are working.  SeeSaw is open from 6:45 a.m. until 6:15 p.m. for 18 months to 12 years of age.