Programs

At ESCAPE Ministries we want to help students stay and finish high school. We recognized so many young adults in our community were getting suspended or expelled, falling behind and eventually dropping out of school. Seeing a need, and partnering with local schools, Escape developed the Alternative Suspension Accountability Program (A.S.A.P.). A.S.A.P. provides a safe learning environment for students who have been suspended or expelled from a traditional educational setting. We also provide a place for homeschool students to work, interact with other students and participate in our Physical Education class. Our primary focus is academic, however we also address goal setting, behavior management, career exploration, and community service. With these additional focuses, students are prepared to return to their original place of learning and encouraged toward future success.

Daily Schedule:

8:00 a.m. –  Class Begins
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
12:30 p.m. –  Class Time
2:10 p.m. – Gym

3:00 pm – Dismissal

A.S.A.P. started in 2013, and that year 90% of students went back to school with an above C average. One young man found out he was two credits ahead of his classmates when he went back to his school. We found students in our structured learning environment flourish and work hard to achieve the ability to go back to school.

We have an Education Coordinator and learning coaches on staff to help! There is no required payment, but donations are readily accepted to help us keep going! Students are admitted on a first come, first served basis. Transportation is available for students!

To enroll your son or daughter, or to receive more information, please call our office at (616) 396-4481 or e­mail the Education Coordinator at education@escape-out.org

ESCAPE’s Career Connections

Many of our youth today want meaningful work experience. ESCAPE connects youth ages 14-17 to work opportunities if they are willing to show up on time, work hard, and work respectfully with their team and team leader. Our objectives for the program:

All worksites local organizations committed to helping our youth develop job skills. Past participants include Haworth, Inc., Holland Bus Company, Magna Mirrors, Walters Gardens, Eighth Day Farms, Building Men For Life, The Soccer Stop, and various area churches and thrift stores. They make it happen!

For more information, visit the Career Connections page or contact our office at (616) 396-4481.

West Side Boxing

West Side Boxing at ESCAPE is helping kids “break down the barriers one punch at a time.” Participation is free and open to all ages and experience levels, whether you just want to get in shape or train to compete in boxing events. We offer trainers to help you build your strength, endurance, and character while forming meaningful realtionships. We are open Monday-Friday from  3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Relationships are the spice of life! Our mentoring program connects awesome youth with awesome adults to form relationships of mutual growth, learning, joy, and kinship! Volunteer mentors meet with their match once a week based on their own schedules, and what results can be something beautiful. Contact us for a mentor application or mentee application!

Tuesdays 3pm – 5pm

Are you struggling with your school work? Do you lack a quiet place at home to do homework? If you answered yes to both of those questions then we’ve got an option for you! Come to ESCAPE for a quiet place to study, and get help from our learning coaches if you’re struggling. We are here as a support for you and to help you stay on track. When you study at ESCAPE you will receive one­-on­-one time with a learning coach.  If you have questions, please call the office at (616) 396-4481.