The Young Women’s Outreach Center is celebrating 20 years of service in Eastern North Carolina this year.
The non-profit agency provides a number of programs, activities and events to meet the needs of males and females of all ages, and has been successful working with families and youth in the community and within Eastern North Carolina. YWOC has impacted thousands of individuals in Lenoir, Greene, Jones, Duplin, Craven and Wayne counties, with its primary goal to serve Lenoir County.
In 1993, YWOC’s main focus began in Lenoir County tackling teen pregnancy. Founders Joyce Clark and Debra McCoy worked to secure funding for the established non-profit agency. They funded out of their own pockets until they received four grants totaling about half a million dollars to run and operate the agency.
Many workshops and classes were provided within the schools, churches, civic club groups, agencies, organizations and the community to impact young males and females in preventing risky behaviors and reducing teen pregnancy. The Caring Adolescent Parenting Program was created to support the teen mothers and fathers and to prevent a second pregnancy.
Other programs were established, including parenting, job training, afterschool and summer school.
YWOC was established to meet the challenging needs and improve the welfare of individuals (young and old, male or female), youth and families by providing prevention and intervention programs and services to keep them abreast educationally. The goal still is to provide opportunities for individuals to become productive, independent contributors to themselves, their families and their community.
One of the most popular events during the 20 years is Teen Fest. May is nationally celebrated as Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, and this year Teen Fest 2013 is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11 at Lenoir Community College for youth ages 10-19. This 20th annual event will help kick off Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month for Lenoir and surrounding counties with various prevention workshops, a youth forum, lots of fun and entertainment.
To celebrate and share the reward of the agency’s excellent service, Berry Gordy, owner of Motown, and owner of all Motown’s recording artists, is offering YWOC a trip to New York City to see the “Motown the Musical,” now on Broadway featuring Motown artists.
YWOC has opened this invitation to the community to share the two-day NYC trip. A 55-passenger tour bus will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis. The bus will leave the YWOC office at midnight June 13 and return before midnight June 15. The discounted round trip will cost $250 per person, including bus fare, hotel stay and ticket to the Motown Musical on Broadway.
To secure a seat, make a payment of $250 immediately. To secure a seat through an installment plan, pay a $100 non-refundable deposit Monday (April 1) and the remaining balance of $150 on or before May 1.
For more information, contact Joyce Clark, executive director, or a YWOC staff member at 252-527-7844.
YWOC celebrations
20th Annual Teen Fest
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11
LenoirCommunity College
Two-day ‘Motown’ trip to New York City
June 14 and 15
$250 per person
Contact: Joyce Clark, YWOC, 119 E. Blount St., 252-527-7844