Rochester Area Youth Assistance
Welcome to the Rochester Area Youth Assistance Website

About Rochester Youth Assistance

Rochester Area Youth Assistance (RAYA) is a non-profit organization of volunteer citizens, assisted by a full-time caseworker whose goal is to strengthen youth and families and to reduce the incident of delinquency, abuse and neglect through volunteer involvement.

Professional counseling and case-work services are available for youth, ages 5 through 16, and their families who live within the Rochester School District. This assistance is confidential. Referrals are made by school personnel, police, parents, friends, and young people themselves.

Swim-a-thon for RAYA a Huge Success

Financial Assistance Application Form & Instructions

Looking for the RAYA Financial Assistance Application & Instructions? You can find them on the documents page and download the PDF forms.

Services Provided to the Community

• CAMP: Scholarships to both summer and school break day and overnight camps are available.
• SKILLBUILDING: Skillbuilding scholarships are available to young people in need of financial assistance for a variety of activities.
• SUMMER RECREATION: June, July and August Rochester children attend low cost or free day camp activities which include arts and crafts, games, skits, swimming, field trips and family picnics.
• YOUTH RECOGNIGTION: A banquet is held each year to honor area youngsters who volunteer their time and talents to serve others in schools, churches and the community at large.
• MENTORS PLUS PROGRAM: PEOPLE LISTENING, UNDERSTANDING AND SHARING (PLUS) is a program which matches a young person with a trained adult volunteer for the purpose of companionship and role modeling.

The Family Education Committee of RAYA would like to make you aware of the following programs.

Teen Life Skills Group – Ages 12 to 17

This group will include interaction and discussion about:

• Making better choices and safe decisions
• Warning sings and stages of chemical use & the effects and consequences of use
• Analyzing how you choose to spend time with friends
• Defense mechanisms
• Strategies for resisting peer pressure

Class dates: Monday – February 27 and March 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2012 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in room 204 at Adams High School. There is a $20.00 registration fee for this group.

Family Education Program

This program is offered in the fall and winter. Programs sponsored and presented by Rochester Area Youth Assistance. For more information please call (248) 656-3558.

Girls Stand Strong Program

This four week program will include interaction and discussion about:

• Developing techniques for girls to stand strong in the face of adversity
• Effectively dealing with bullying, “mean girls”, gossip, etc.
• Strategies for resisting peer pressure
• Developing healthy coping strategies and inner strengths

This program is offered in the fall and winter. Programs sponsored and presented by Rochester Area Youth Assistance. For more information please call (248) 656-3558. You can also download the Girls Stand Strong Flyer.

Bullying

Rochester Area Youth Assistance presents “Chrissa Stands Strong”. This free vent will help your daughter find creative ways to stop bullying and will show her what it means to be a good friend. After viewing the movie, a short discussion will be held followed by friendship activity. For girls ages from grades three to sixth.

The event will be held on Friday, May 4, 2012 from 12:30pm – 3:30pm at the Rochester Hills Public Library. Space is limited. Registration is required. Please call (248) 656-3558 to register or for more information.