The Picayune Carver Culture Center’s Youth Enrichment Program (Y.E.P.) held its inaugural youth workshop on Saturday, March 9. Y.E.P. aims to provide personal growth and life skills opportunities to underserved youth in Picayune and Pearl River County.

A recent community health assessment conducted by the Master of Public Health program at the University of Southern Mississippi identified three areas of need in the community, one of which is more activities for youths. In response, PCCC invited Jasmine Cochran to facilitate her “Connecting the Dots to Success” workshop.

Cochran, a Picayune native and Mississippi State University graduate, has combined her experiences as a college athlete, international teacher, American Ninja Warrior competitor, coach, and writer into CONNECTeD, a leadership and life skills program. Cochran aims to prepare students to become leaders of focus, drive, and integrity, helping them feel prepared to face their fears and potential.

The workshop focused on mindset exercises, goal-planning sessions, and games, teaching youth that the road to success includes triumphs, failures, frustrations, and lessons, all of which can be turned into assets using CONNECTeD’s 5 Steps to a Bold Bounceback.

“I want today’s youth to know that their success is their responsibility. Their family provides care and influence, and schools provide many tools for the future, but ultimately, the decision to be successful, live a life of purpose, and do great things in the world is their own,” says Cochran.

“Connecting the Dots to Success” is one of five workshops and keynotes in the CONNECTeD suite. A full Common Core-aligned leadership and life skills curriculum will be available soon, followed by a program designed for coaches and athletes to establish and nurture healthy team cultures and prepare student-athletes for life after sports.

Picayune Carver Culture Center’s Director Vinner Scott and Y.E.P. Coordinator Chemekia Turner are working diligently to instill hope and necessary life skills in the youth of Picayune through workshops, tutoring, cultural education, mentorship, and caring.

For more information, please contact the Picayune Carver Culture Center at 601-590-8983 or picayunecarverculturemuseum@gmail.com. PCCC is located in the Education Building on 1421 Goodyear Blvd in Picayune, MS 39466.

CONNECTeD is available for any organization investing in the development of young people ages 10 and up. Contact Jasmine Cochran at connected@jasminecochran.com for more information.