The Office of Youth Services “Positive Youth Development” Program  is a community outreach program for youth between the ages of 7 through 21 who reside in or attend schools in the communities of Central Oahu. Kalihi YMCA staff provides prevention and intervention services to youth at risk who may be experiencing the consequences of school failure or truancy, family, legal, or delinquency problems.  Staff provides participants with the lessons and activities of the Positive Action Curriculum in individual and group sessions.  Counselors engage youth in recreational, educational and skill building activities where youth have opportunities to make new friends and interact with positive peer and adult role models. 

There are three service components of the Positive Youth Development Program:

1) Community Outreach: Youth referred to this program are beginning to experience some problems in one or more life areas.  The focus of the service in this component is structured activities in group settings.  Youth have a more regular schedule and are involved in community projects

2) Support and Counseling: Youth involved in this level of service is one who needs help in developing a positive structure to support their efforts to stay out of trouble. The Positive Action Curriculum is used and planned activities supplement the teaching. Services are provided during school or after school hours.  Service learning activities opportunities are planned by the youth for Saturday or after school.

3) Support and Counseling II (Case Management):  Counselors work intensively with youths that are experiencing difficult life problems that may be interpersonal or related to family, school, the law or substance abuse.