| The XY-Zone is a male involvement project of Communities In Schools - Central Texas, Inc. - a unique "fraternity" for young men. The goal of the project is to support and guide adolescent males as they journey into manhood, helping them to succeed in school and prepare for healthy relationships, marriages and bright futures. Our staff are based directly on school campuses where they recruit, engage and guide young men, at-risk for school dropout. In the XY-Zone, young men participate in support groups, working together to make changes, reach goals and develop a sense of brotherhood. |
By teaching the Five Pillars of the XY-Zone - Respect, Responsibility, Relationships, Role Modeling and Reaching Out - we have been able to bring out the high potential in a high risk population. The young men have their own t-shirts, leadership and protocols. They take a pledge when joining. They implement service projects, learning the value of giving back to the community. For many, the XY-Zone serves as a positive alternative to gang involvement. 
The specific goals of the project are for young men to: remain in school and improve academic performance; improve behaviors in schools and the community; stop or reduce risk-taking behaviors. Staff create an individualized plan for each XY-Zone member that often includes supportive guidance, leadership development, academic support and opportunities to participate in service-learning projects. Community volunteers are utilized to serve as mentors and tutors since many XY-Zone participants do not have positive male role models in their lives.
The XY-Zone is currently operating at Johnston, LBJ, Reagan, Crockett and Lanier High Schools and Mendez M.S. (in Austin, TX) and Georgetown High School (in Georgetown, TX).
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