12 Rounds Executive Challenge

Second Round is a fitness-based intervention program at Haven House Services, where youth ages 12–21 use boxing and fitness as tools to improve physical and emotional health, school success, community connection, and leadership development. 

Program goals include:

• Wellness:
  • Improve physical health, including improving nutrition and decreasing obesity
  • Improve emotional health, including managing emotions and coping with stress
• Learning:
  • Improve school performance (attendance/grades)
  • Improve any problem behaviors at school
• Community:
  • Increase connectedness to positive peers, coaches, and mentors
  • Increase engagement with their community
• Leadership:
  •  Learn positive communication, decision-making/goal setting, and team building
  • Provide leadership opportunities through peer coaching and workout setup

Recent Impact (last fiscal year 24/25 results):

• 80% of youth reduced problem behaviors identified when they first started
• 80% of youth improved their targeted skills while working on personal goals
• 100% of youth in the program had no new court involvement

How does a youth get involved with the program?

Some sign up on their own. Others are referred by a parent or caregiver. Referrals are accepted from schools, the Department of Juvenile Justice, law enforcement, or other youth programs across Wake County. Young people join the program in many ways!

How much does participation cost?

The program is provided at no cost to youth and families!

When and where is the program? 

The program operates year-round from 3pm-6pm Monday-Thursday in the after-school gym at Haven House Services’ main office: 1008 Bullard Court, Raleigh.

What's in the gym?

Second Round consists of a full fitness center, equipped with an amateur-size boxing ring, multiple punching bags, rubberized flooring, and a complete weight room. We also have an outdoor space with a basketball goal that is used for fitness activities.

What do youth do when they are there?

They have access to the study area, if needing to complete homework. Youth complete warmups each day (jump rope, sprints, etc.) and there is also a basketball hoop often used during warmups and cooldowns. The sessions then focus on fitness and/or wellness activities, which may include yoga, cardio, weightlifting, team challenges and learning technical boxing skills. Youth complete fitness assessments each month to measure progress.

What does our program coordinator have to say?

“The best part of my job is creating a safe, empowering space for our youth—by our youth. I’m deeply passionate about reminding them that they matter, that they are seen, heard, and supported. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching them connect, grow, and boldly step outside of their comfort zones.” – Shameka Smith

For more than 50 years, Haven House has evolved to meet the changing needs of young people. We're proud to provide a safety net of programs that supported more than 2,000 youth and young adults ages 6-24 facing homelessness, crisis, and challenges at home, at school, and in their daily lives. Our mission is to help youth be safe, supported, and successful. 

To learn more about Haven House, and ways you can support our mission throughout the year, please visit www.havenhousenc.org or call 919.833.3312 Mon-Fri from 8:30am - 5pm.