YOUTH SERVICES MISSION STATEMENT
Through culturally appropriate community-based services, MNC Youth programs nurture positive change in the lives of the highest risk youth and their families in the communities they live in. We promote cultural affirmation, social awareness, and community building to empower young people with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to achieve their fullest potential.
Mission Neighborhood Centers Youth Program Values
- Youth first – our priority is their well-being
- We welcome youth as they are, embracing their diversity and strengths
- We promote respect among youth, staff, elders and the greater community
- We never give up on anybody, often offering multiple opportunities for change
- We’re intentional in our commitment to serve the highest risk youth and families
- Based on personal life experiences, we offer an environment of compassion, empathy and solidarity
- We utilize a culturally based approach to improve the quality of life of youth and their families
- We’re committed to building leadership from within by hiring former participants
- We practice personal responsibility and accountability by serving as positive role models in our community
- We promote solidarity by committing to fight against racism, poverty and all forms of oppression
- We create collective community solutions to real life issues
- We embrace the “Si se puede”, “Yes we can” model which fosters personal and collective empowerment and community engagement
- We never give up on our participants, often offering multiple opportunities for change
MNC’s Youth Programs provide comprehensive quality culturally appropriate programming to more than 1,300 youth ages 6-25 annually at our Precita Center, Mission Girls Center, and Mission Beacon Center at Everett Middle School.
- After school and summer camp programs with academic enrichment, cultural arts, social justice leadership development, health and fitness
- Evening safe haven and street outreach
- Health education and violence prevention education and services
- Case management and family support services
- Alternatives to juvenile detention
- GED exam preparation
- Gender specific girl services and young men’s groups
- Special events including Dia de los Muertos, International Women’s Day, Carnaval, and other cultural holidays and community celebrations.
Many of our youth clients are from low-income and/or immigrant families and are at high risk of dropping out of school, being victims or perpetuators of violence, falling into the juvenile justice system, or becoming teen parents. The Youth programs vary and include multiple opportunities for youth and young adults to become empowered individuals.
