Game Changer is anchored in two solid foundations,

 providing both strength and stability for everything we do:

 

1 - “It takes a village to raise a child.”

This reflects the collective responsibility for nurturing young people. The environments children grow up in—such as their homes, schools, workplaces, and the influence of authority figures—play a significant role in shaping their development.

 

2 - “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he gets old he will not depart from it” emphasizes the manner of upbringing, focusing on instilling morals, values, faith, hope, manners, beliefs, and spiritual guidance.

​​

Game Changer is an afterschool mentorship and prevention program for students in grades 4 through 12.  The program reduces risk factors by strengthening protective factors, equipping young people to make informed and healthy choices. While risk and protective factors influence youth across all stages of life, one often underestimated risk factor is boredom, which can increase vulnerability to high-risk behaviors such as substance use.

​

The ongoing drug and opioid crisis has devastated communities, with the rise of fentanyl posing a critical and life-threatening danger, as even minimal exposure can cause fatal overdoses

Recognizing this challenge, Game Changer provides prevention and intervention strategies that address risks where they exist—while empowering youth with the knowledge, skills, activities, and support they need to succeed. These efforts are built around the following protective factors:

​

• Education – Academic tutoring, guidance on higher education, and exploration of trade career pathways.

• Sports – Opportunities to engage in both traditional and non-traditional activities (darts, foosball, cornhole, ping pong, chess, kayaking, horseback riding). Sports foster character development, core values, teamwork, and life skills.

• Employment – Career exploration, financial literacy, and job readiness to prepare youth for workforce success.

• Empowerment – Helping youth reshape mindsets and behavior patterns to turn negatives into positives, build self-confidence, and set healthy personal boundaries.

• The Arts – Opportunities in music, arts & crafts, theater, and dance that allow youth to discover and highlight their unique talents.

• Community Service – A requirement of 1–2 hours per month of service, helping youth learn responsibility, understand their role in society, and contribute to solving community challenges.

 

Through early intervention, mentorship, and community-focused programming, our mission is to prevent and address substance use, intervene when risks arise, and equip youth with the resilience and skills needed for a better mindset to succeed in life.