Teen Outreach Program Plus

The Teen Outreach Program Plus (TOP Plus) is a national program using leadership development classes and community service-learning to lead teens toward productive decisions and positive behaviors. The program's goal is to promote youth leadership and academic achievement. In 1990, the Junior League of Roanoke started TOP in Roanoke.
TOP Plus involves:

  • Groups
  • Service-learning
  • Mentoring

The LRP program has documented results in academic improvements such as a decrease in school absences and disciplinary incidents and an increase in GPA with improved attitudes and behaviors regarding substance use. We began implementing LRP in Roanoke in 2004-05.

TOP Plus School and After-School Programs

High SchoolsMiddle SchoolsAfter-School Programs
Noel C. Taylor William Byrd Middle School Presbyterian Community Center
William Fleming High School   Apple Ridge Farm ASPIRE 2016
    Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia
    West End Center
    21st Century Program at Breckinridge Middle School
    YMCA of Roanoke Valley

Leadership Development Topics

  • Self-Esteem
  • Communication
  • Values
  • Goal Setting
  • Decision-Making
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Relationships
  • Health Education

Outcome Objectives That Are Impacted

  • Reduction in school truancy
  • An increase in knowledge about the consequences of sexual behavior
  • Decrease in teen pregnancy
  • Improvements in school achievement
  • Improvements in refusal skills regarding substance use
  • Improvements in self-esteem
  • Improvements in anger managment skills
  • Increase in civic commitment

Community Service Learning

Our TOP Plus program utilizes the PARC model of:

  • Preparing students for service-learning
  • Actively doing service
  • Reflecting on the service
  • Celebrating

Curriculums Used 

Positive Action
Across Ages
Changing Scenes

Service Projects
SchoolProject
Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy Head Start Helpers
Greenvale Inc.  
William Byrd Middle School Variety of projects
William Fleming High School Grandparent Helpers
Head Start Helpers
Leadership Among Colonels
REACH Buddies
Refugee Outreach Tutors
William Fleming After-School YMCA Tutors
Computer Trainers at Melrose
Roanoke City Library Helpers
Presbyterian Community Center Variety of projects
West End Center Variety of projects
Special Events

We invite students and their families to attend dinners and special events. Our banquet is a celebration of the contributions our students have made to the community through service learning. School and community partners are also recognized.

Qualifying high school TOP Plus students are presented class rings by city and county officials at a special ceremony. The Junior League of Roanoke Valley provides the funds for the rings yearly.

For more information, please contact Sarah Jane Lawrence, TOP Plus Program Manager 540.563.5316