Meet Brittni and Stacy

When you ask Brittni and Stacy what their day is like as Street Outreach Workers, they reply without hesitation, “No two days are ever the same!”  SWOOP arrived in the streets of Blair County in October of 2006.  The primary goal of this program is to conduct outreach efforts to build relationships with at-risk youth.  Focusing on our young people, they try to reach as many youth as possible with activities and programs divided into four categories: street, community, school and internet.

Brittni and Stacy have adapted their program and means of communication to reach the young people of our community.   What began as only street outreach - finding troubled and/or homeless youth, today has evolved into a much broader effort. 

In addition to bringing it to the streets, these two workers also bring it to our community and schools.  One way they touch the community is by providing presentations with such topics as internet safety, cyberbullying, drugs and alcohol and gangs and gang violence.  Last year, they provided over 50 presentations to both adults and young people in schools, colleges, businesses and social and human service organizations. Brittni and Stacy facilitate groups in and outside the school setting addressing teen issues such as healthy relationships, stress management, anger management and bullying.  These two SWOOP workers are certified SAIT (Student Assistance Intervention Team) Liaisons in the Altoona Area Junior and Senior High Schools where they refer and also access troubled youth.

The most utilized tool in their outreach has been their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/swoopgirls). This internet based form of communication has become successful in establishing trusting relationships with youth who may otherwise not be reached through street or community activities.  It provides a way for these outreach workers to have daily contact with the youth and allows them to monitor these young people to ensure they are not in crisis.  Many times Brittni and Stacy have walked into a school or community event to be greeted with, “Hey!  I know you - you’re SWOOP!  I talked to you on Facebook!”

Street Wise Outreach and Opportunity Program - SWOOP is the newest program created under the umbrella of Family Services Incorporated.  In its initial year, SWOOP was awarded one of only 25 nationwide federal grants and today is one of only five Street Outreach Programs in Pennsylvania.