ARCS

The mission of Destiny Independence USA is that of preparing hundreds of economically disadvantaged young people in Floyd County, GA for eventual adult employment by mentoring them as children and youth all the way through high school, college or job training, and into adult employment. Fostering social and financial independence, emotional stability, and training to become moral, contributing members of society as they reach adulthood are critical aspects of the mentoring program.

Academic & Career Guidance – We believe that academic success is one of the primary cornerstones to eventual adulthood independence. In order to ensure that our members create the best possible foundation for college, DIUSA offers our members FREE tutoring whenever their grade in an academic subject drops below a “B”.  In addition our members are tested by Sylvan Learning Center as soon as they enter our program.  If they are behind grade level in either Math or Reading they are given the opportunity to enter the Sylvan Sync Program, a customized tutoring program delivered electronically which will over the period of a year or so bring them up to grade level.

Relationship Building – Adult volunteers, age 25 and up, create mentoring relationships with our student members who come from economically depressed communities as they chaperone group field trips and church attendance, teach life skills classes, and foster emotional health and good decision making.  In addition, DIUSA acts as the primary conduit for encouraging academic success, cultural exposure, work ethic, and character development in our members to ensure that the child continues on a productive trajectory towards independent adulthood.

Cultural Development – Children thrive best when their horizons are expanded, opening their minds to their own potential and dreams.  Poverty often sequesters its children within the perimeter that defines their own neighborhood, rarely if ever having opportunities to see the outside world and its wonders.  In addition to summer camp opportunities, Destiny Independence USA provides at least two field trips per year to mentees, and their mentor when appropriate, to events and places to which the child would otherwise never have

Spiritual Nurture – DIUSA contributes to our mentee’s emotional and spiritual health and character development by encouraging them to attend a church of their choice, or transporting them to church.  In addition to the short-term product of the individual child’s emotional health, we believe that the safety and happiness of a community is optimized when its citizens pursue spiritual growth and moral laws.