Frederick Douglass said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” Alternatives, a community-based nonprofit organization in Hampton, has been building young people for 50 years. It was initially established in 1973 by Richard Goll with the support of Cindy Carlson and others as a youth substance abuse program. Over time, it evolved into a positive youth development program under the leadership of Kathy Johnson, Ally Graul and Linda Hansen. Currently, Ragen Johnson, a former youth participant of the program, heads it.
The organization has received numerous national accolades, including recognition from the FBI Director’s Leadership Program, National Service-Learning Partnership, White House Communities Empowering Youth Program, National Center for Youth Development and Policy, National League of Cities (in collaboration with the city of Hampton), Young Audiences Education Partnership, Youth Service America, National Youth Service and the National Training Institute. Alternatives annually helps nearly 4,000 youth and their families on the Peninsula. Despite its national reputation, it remains a well-kept secret in Hampton Roads.
Alternatives envisions developing healthy, principled and creative young individuals who are valued members of the community. The mission is to inspire young people to realize their full potential as valued community members. Utilizing an evidence-based framework for positive youth development, the organization adopts a person-centered, youth-focused approach that emphasizes the strengths of young people rather than their weaknesses. And it promotes emotional intelligence, crucial for mental wellness, empathy, leadership and coalition building.
Positive youth development is a comprehensive public health intervention. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it builds identity, hope and self-regulation, along with social, emotional, cognitive and behavioral competencies. Alternatives addresses equity, prevention, asset mapping, collaboration and leadership. It tackles pressing issues affecting youth across various demographics such as suicide, substance use disorders, serious mental illnesses and gun violence.
Youth mental health hospitalizations increased by 124% from 2016 to 2022 according to Clarify Health, and KFF reports that 55% of the public believes there is a youth mental health problem in the U.S. The CDC reports that suicide rates among young people age 10-24 increased 62% from 2007-2021, and homicides rates among the same group increased 60% from 2014 to 2021. These statistics make the work of positive youth development even more important today than ever before.
Alternatives collaborates with school districts and communities to empower youth by promoting resilience, academic achievement, creativity, leadership, cultural humility and civic engagement. Specific initiatives include after-school programs offering safe, supervised and enriched environments; a youth leadership academy; programs addressing gun violence and the stigma of mental illness; and support for children in grief. Additionally, Alternatives provides family resources and trains community youth workers using a nationally recognized curriculum developed in-house. Finally, the organization is committed to the arts, embracing Maslow’s idea that creativity is a pinnacle of human experience.
We are former presidents of the Alternatives Board of Directors and the longest-serving current board members. It is our honor to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this exceptional group of dedicated youth and adults. Alternatives is a social change agent and leader for the greater community good in the tradition of the medical educator, Abraham Flexner. It exemplifies Margaret Mead’s principle of the remarkable power of a small group of highly committed individuals. And, it deserves much greater recognition for its half century of building children. To learn more about Alternatives, please visit altinc.org.
Paul F. Aravich, Ph.D., of Hampton is a neuroscientist, medical educator and member of several behavioral and neurological organizations. Courtney Gardner is director of the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and the former director of the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News. She lives in Houston and Newport News. They serve on the Alternatives Board of Directors.
