Sussex Family YMCA launches Teen ASPIRE Program

The Sussex Family YMCA kicked off its Teen ASPIRE Program Oct. 4, welcoming a cohort of 12 high school students who will spend the next several weeks building their confidence and developing their resume ahead of college or the workforce.

“The first meeting was great,” said Cordi Park, the Sussex Family Y’s youth development coordinator, who launched the program with her husband Devin.

Over six weeks, students will engage in interactive lessons and activities centered around a number of college- and career-related topics, such as college applications, the ACT and SAT exams, resume building, finances and financial aid, and choosing a career path. They will also develop critical skills like time management and budgeting.

The group is set to meet every Saturday morning through Nov. 15.

A little more than half of the students in the cohort plan to attend college, while the others plan to enter the workforce right after high school.

Nicole Park, Cordi and Devin’s daughter, who graduated from West Chester University and now works as an oncology nurse at the University of Pennsylvania, attended the first meeting as a guest speaker. She covered the basics of college and answered students’ questions about dorm life, classes and time management.

While registration for this session has closed, there will be more to come. Anyone interested in participating in the next session, which will likely take place in early 2026, can reach out to Cordi directly at cpark@ymcade.org. 

There is a fee associated with the program: $25 for YMCA members and $50 for nonmembers. Scholarships are available for families in need of financial assistance, and those seeking assistance should indicate that at the time of registration. 

In addition to Teen ASPIRE, the Parkses run a number of other programs at the Sussex Family Y, including the Teen Workforce Development Program, open to teens ages 15-18, and the Teen Leadership Program, open to preteens and teens ages 11-16.

In the Workforce Development Program, teens complete six weeks of professional development during which they participate in interactive workshops centered around topics like interview preparation, resume writing, job applications, time management and workplace communication. They also participate in mock interviews with local professionals, receive expert resume feedback and get a free shopping trip for a professional outfit, grant-funded through Barclays.

Upon completing the six weeks, the teens are placed into paid internship positions – usually in one of the Y’s own programs, like its sports or aftercare programs, or through one of its community partners, such as a local hair salon or hotel – based on their individual interests. More information can be found at ymcade.org/teen-workforce-development.

The Teen Leadership Program is an afterschool program focused on developing leadership skills, character and community awareness. Participants engage in community service projects, physical fitness activities, leadership enrichment and character development exercises, beach trips, and career and financial youth seminars.