Implementation of Wyman's TOPS Model Program with 60 out annually in Providence, Rhode Island. - Project Title: RISU TOPS Clubs Applicant Name: Rhode Island Sports Union (RISU) Address: 807 Broad Street, Lower-Level Providence, RI 02907-1664 Phone number: (401) 699-6167 Email Address: ggonzalez@nhpri.org Website: https://rhodeislandsportsunion.org The Rhode Island Sports Union (RISU) is a Providence, Rhode Island based non-profit organization that provides team sports, health and prevention workshops, and well-being activities to youth and their families (youth ages 10 – 19) living in the City of Providence. The Project will implement the evidence-based Wyman’s TOPS Club Model Program to 60 youth annually and 180 youth during the project period. The model provides 20 workshops per Club addressing all of the SRAE Priorities from an Abstinence-based delivery model. Youth targeted by this proposal live in nine (9) of the City’s twenty-five (25) identified neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are identified as “at-risk” with significant risk factors for teen pregnancy and other negative outcomes. Through this integrated model, RISU advances ACF's vision of resilient, safe, healthy, and economically secure children, youth, families, and communities by equipping youth with critical life skills, supportive relationships, and opportunities for healthy engagement that reduce risk factors and promote long-term success. The TOPS curriculum is designed to strengthen social-emotional competencies, promote healthy decision-making, build leadership skills, encourage community involvement, and foster positive connections with caring adults and peers. The addition of structured sports participation reinforces these principles by promoting teamwork, discipline, goal-setting, resilience, physical well-being, and a strong sense of belonging. Sort-Term Outcomes include: (1) Increased knowledge of personal responsibility, self-regulation, goal-setting, healthy decision-making, and future orientation (Priority A); (2) Improved social-emotional competencies, including communication, problem-solving, teamwork, empathy, and emotional regulation; (3) Increased understanding of the benefits of refraining from nonmarital sexual activity and its impact on future success and well-being (Priority B); (4) Increased understanding of how educational attainment, self-sufficiency, and emotional maturity contribute to poverty prevention (Priority C); (5) Increased confidence, self-efficacy, positive self-identity, and sense of purpose; (6) Stronger adult-youth connections and family engagement; (7) Increased knowledge of healthy relationships, healthy marriages, and safe, stable families (Priority D); (8) Increased awareness of how drugs and alcohol increase risks associated with adolescent sexual activity (Priority E); (9) Increased ability to recognize, resist, and seek assistance for sexual coercion and dating violence (Priority F); (10) and Increased civic engagement, leadership skills, and community connectedness.
