Dedicated to changing and saving the lives of our young people!

HCI Overview:

HCI was created in 2000 by a group of community organizations and stake holders coming together to discuss what could be done to reduce high risk-taking behaviors among youth.  The Rose Tree Media School District, Riddle Memorial Hospital, the Rocky Run YMCA and the Reformation Lutheran Church are among our founding organizations. 

HCI exists to help our young people live successful lives and to better equip them for the challenges of life so that they do not turn to risk-taking behaviors as a way to cope with stress.  We use Search Institute’s (www.Search-Institute.org) 40 Developmental Assets™ as our framework for programming and services.  These assets are well researched and proven protective factors at decreasing at-risk behavior in youth and strengthening healthy attitudes, life skills, social competencies and academic performance.  Grouped in eight broad categories, the Developmental Assets speak to what young people really need to lead successful lives – Support, Empowerment, Boundaries and Expectations, Constructive Use of Time, a Commitment to Learning, Positive Values, Social Competencies and a Positive Identity.  The more assets in each group young people possess, the more likely they are to engage in leadership roles, maintain good health, value diversity, have resiliency and succeed in school.  Young people who possess more of these assets are less likely to use alcohol and drugs, get involved in violent behavior, or engage in sexual activity.

The following are our ongoing Asset Building Programs and Services:

  • The P.I.E.™ (Partners in Excellence™ Mentoring Program) matches a local professional with a teen to help develop their strengths, identify their best career choices, and provide them with another caring adult in their lives. This relationship is maintained during all four years of high school, with the hope that the student will have a life-long mentor. All P.I.E.™ students who have remained in the program for their 4 years of high school will receive the P.I.E.™ Scholarship upon graduation.  This scholarship is applied toward the cost of continuing education after High School.
  • The HCI Optimist Club at Penncrest High School is a collaboration with the Rose Tree Media Optimist Club and provides teens with avenues to become involved in the community, while developing teamwork and leadership skills.  Community projects include:
      • Planning and implementing the HCI Annual Music Festival
      • Participating in and raising money for Rose Tree Media School District’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life
      • Supporting and helping out with Middletown Township’s Country Bumpkin Run/Walk
      • Collecting cans to support the Philabundance canned food drive
      • Serving food to customers at the Rose Tree Media Optimist Club’s food booth duringThe annual Town Talk Flea Market
      • Assisting with Operation Christmas Child and baking Christmas cookies for youth in juvenile detention
      • Playing key roles in the implementation of all of HCI’s events, as listed below
  • The S.P.O.T. Network (Supervised Programs Organized for Teens) provides safe places throughout our community for our middle and high school age youth to gather after school, during evenings, and weekends. Activities offered include homework help, special events such as Wii tournaments and movie nights, trips, discussion groups and leadership/relationship building workshops, or just “hanging out.”
  • Girls Teen Leadership Program at Springton Lake Middle School is a collaboration with the Womens’ Resource Center that provides 7th and 8th grade girls with the skills needed to become effective leaders along with confidence-building training to help in accomplishing personal goals.
  • Mock Crash and Survivor 101 at Penncrest High School, is in partnership with Riddle Healthcare Foundation and State Farm Insurance.  This realistic event helps to educate students on the dangers of drinking and/or using drugs and then operating a vehicle while under the influence, including other distractions like texting.
  • Parenting Partners Program is a 7 week series of parenting skills workshops that provides support and positive parenting skills that work with all cultures and is geared towards parents of pre-elementary and elementary students. These workshops also educate parents on how to build Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets and the impact they have on their student’s success.
  • HCI Parenting Discussion Series enlists professionals from the community to speak with parents and offers free advice regarding the challenges of raising teens.  These meetings also provide a place where parents of teens can network with and support one another.

HCI Participates in the following Community Events:

  • All of Rose Tree Media School District’s Back to School Nights, attended by the majority of school district parents
  • Town Talk’s Super Sunday held in downtown Media.  This event draws thousands of people throughout the Delaware Valley.
  • Middletown Township Country Bumpkin Run/Walk, attended by over 200 residents
  • Health Fairs at local hospitals and other community sites such as Riddle Memorial Hospital/MLHS and Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems.
  • PTG meetings at all six Rose Tree Media School district schools
  • Open Houses held within the community, including the annual S.P.O.T. Network Open House held in October