At Harlem RBI, social work does not just happen in the counseling office. It happens on the ball field, in the classroom and at dinner. Youth see us as a source of support that cares about how they are doing in their schools, neighborhoods and families. Harlem RBI offers social work services that address the complex needs of growing youth including targeted workshops, short-term counseling or referrals to outside agencies and crisis-intervention as needed. Social Work staff also provides staff and volunteer training to ensure our youth’s needs are being met.

Harlem RBI provides a comprehensive and holistic approach to teen sexual health by weaving a "safety net" of learning opportunities around youth and families. Play It Safe is a creative and innovative educational program that surrounds youth with protective skill development and supports a reduction in behavior that puts youth health at risk.

The Play It Safe program aims to help youth:

• Make safe decisions and avoid risk behavior
• Maintain mental health and well-being
• Maintain healthy relationships with peers and adults
• Demonstrate a sense of personal responsibility

Play It Safe Program Components

Sexual Health Education Program

Youth receive comprehensive and age-appropriate sexual health and relationship education by using ¡Cuídate! and Making Proud Choices. These curricula are delivered in combination with youth development workshops that address adolescent development, healthy relationships, social media safety, safe spaces for LGBTQ youth and healthy life skills and decision making.

The BASE - A Youth Leadership and Peer Education Program

The BASE strives to educate and impact the community through peer empowerment and awareness. These youth promote principles and practices that actively contribute to the development of young people and the community.

The BASE upholds the values of Trust, Safety, Leadership, Empowerment and Communication.

Keeping true to it's Harlem RBI roots, The BASE was named to stay aligned with Harlem RBI's baseball/softball theme. In the game of baseball, when a player makes it to a base, they are announced as safe by an umpire. Similarly, The BASE program is a safe place for adolescence and young adults, establishing an environment where anyone can gain knowledge and access resources about sexual health related information, as well as talk with youth leaders confidentially.

Community Ambassadors - Parent Peer Education

By engaging parents as partners, Harlem RBI's Community Ambassadors work to reduce teenage pregnancy in East Harlem. Ambassadors educate adults in East Harlem through workshops and outreach campaigns. They work to help parents feel confident and capable of providing relevant information to their children while reinforcing the values that are important to them.

LIST OF AVAILABLE Workshops and Training FOR YOUTH, FAMILIES AND STAFF