The Achievement Center (AC) is the Positive Youth Justice hub of DYRS’s community-based initiatives where DYRS youth and youth in the District are provided sufficient access to support, resources, and pro-social opportunities.

The Achievement Center contains all the key ingredients necessary to help youth develop their strengths, develop confidence in their ability to succeed, develop a sense of belonging, and value and serve the larger community. There are a diversity of wraparound supports and service providers available to DC youth and committed youth at the AC. The following available services and supports purposefully emphasize the key areas of work, education, relationships, community, health, and creativity:

 

Academic Supports Work Readiness and Job Placement Vocational Skills Training Cultural Arts Programs Basic Need Resources (food & clothing) Housing Stability Supports (only offered to committed youth) Health, Wellness & Fitness Coaching Life Skills Training Restorative Justice Structured Outings, Activities & Events

Community Service Community Resources Social Skills Development Family Support & Engagement Groups Entrepreneurship Training Apprenticeships & Internships Youth Council Youth Peer Advocates Youth Engagement Specialist Mentors

*All youth who wish to participate in DYRS programs, events, and trainings must present a government issued ID before participating.

An essential component that DYRS preserves in the Achievement Centers is valuing youth voices, i.e., empowering them to actively participate in the decision-making and planning for many of their services. As a result, the ACs are cultivating, safe spaces for equipping youth to contribute to the strength and safety of their communities.

 

The Achievement Centers
450 H Street NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 576-7299	2101 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE Washington, DC 20020 (202) 576-8390

 

Click here to access the forms related to the Achievement Centers' Programs.

To see the current list of programs open to the community, please see the PDF attached to this page.