C.H.O.I.C.E. , Inc

Program Description & Activities Project B.L.U.E. (Building Leadership, Unity, and Engagement) is a community-based youth development and violence-prevention initiative of C.H.O.I.C.E., Inc. designed to strengthen relationships between young people and law enforcement while building leadership, communication, resilience, and social-emotional skills. Project B.L.U.E. creates opportunities for youth and law enforcement officers to interact in positive, non-enforcement settings where they can build relationships through shared experiences rather than traditional authority-based interactions. The program primarily serves youth ages 11–14, with opportunities to engage youth up to age 18, particularly young people who may be impacted by adverse childhood experiences, community violence, or other challenges. Program activities combine interactive workshops, facilitated discussions, leadership development, team-building exercises, mentoring, recreational experiences, and community-based activities. Experiences such as fishing, archery, and other outdoor or recreational activities provide a relaxed environment for young people and officers to communicate, work together, develop trust, and practice teamwork. Educational components address conflict resolution, emotional regulation, coping skills, communication, leadership, decision-making, safety, and healthy relationships with adults and authority figures. Participating law enforcement officers also receive preparation to support trauma- and resilience-informed engagement with youth. Project B.L.U.E. is designed to provide young people with a safe space to ask questions, share their perspectives, challenge assumptions, and have meaningful conversations with law enforcement. Through repeated positive interactions, C.H.O.I.C.E. seeks to increase mutual understanding, strengthen youth voice and leadership, reduce factors associated with violence, and create stronger connections among young people, law enforcement, families, and the broader Louisville community.

Program Description & Activities The Dare to Dream Sports Leadership and Mentoring Program, a program of C.H.O.I.C.E., Inc. (Children Have Options In Choosing Experiences), is a trauma-informed, school-based youth development and prevention program designed to strengthen leadership, resilience, confidence, academic motivation, and healthy decision-making among young people impacted by adverse childhood experiences and other life challenges. Operating since 1994, Dare to Dream uses a cross-age peer mentoring model that prepares high school students to serve as positive role models and mentors for elementary-aged youth. Through structured weekly groups, high school mentors and younger mentees build supportive relationships while developing social-emotional, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. Program activities include weekly mentoring and leadership groups, Advanced Mentoring Training for high school mentors, interactive workshops, team-building and experiential learning activities, monthly Mentoring Experiences, community service and leadership opportunities, academic and postsecondary encouragement, and individualized support and case management when needed. Curriculum activities address areas such as positive identity, confidence, resilience, healthy relationships, empathy, boundaries and expectations, conflict resolution, self-efficacy, academic motivation, connection, and constructive use of time. The program operates throughout the school year in partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools, providing young people with consistent access to caring adults and positive peers while creating safe spaces where they can discuss challenges, practice new skills, develop meaningful relationships, and recognize their ability to make positive choices for themselves, their schools, and their communities.