It is well known that proper education is invaluable in setting young people up for emotional, social, and financial success in life. Our Education For Life programs offer comprehensive education assistance to over 100 at-risk youth, making a long-term commitment to their growth and development from pre-school to post high school studies. Our goal is to see youth succeed by providing an educational and mentoring support system aimed to decrease deviant behavior such as truancy, drug abuse and gang activity and increase educational aspiration.
Sueños Youth Center
AREA OF IMPACT: education-for-life
Embraced as you are, empowered to grow.
The Sueños Youth Center is designed for low-income, under-served 8th grade thru college aged students. We foster and shepherd developmental assets in our youth by showing the love of Jesus in a holistic and relational manner. In turn, we transform urban Phoenix by offering empowered youth who are confident in their identity and ability to make a positive change in not only Phoenix but the world.
This outreach is designed to provide academic support, positive peer activities, learning opportunities and spiritual development in a safe after-school environment.
A special emphasis is placed on developing “Emerging Leaders.” These youth seek not only to serve their community, but also to obtain financial stability and self-sufficiency. Focus is placed on community service (namely our K-7th grade children’s’ programs), education, civic engagement, social skills and job training.
Summer Internship: “Emerging Leaders” are able to apply for NM’s highly coveted summer internship positions in which they gain workforce experience and serve their community.
Our Jr Leader Program consists of our 8th grade students. We focus on developing social confidence and positive identity to help them thrive in the transition from middle school to high school spaces.
We want to see an increase in the developmental assets of the youth. These developmental assets, as defined by The Search Institute, include assets like support, empowerment, positive values, social competencies, positive identity and more.
- Director(s): Tania Lopez
Katy’s Kids Preschool
AREA OF IMPACT: education-for-life
Katy’s Kids Preschool serves 3 – 5 year olds. Their primary goal is preparing these students to be kindergarten ready. This includes the areas of social, emotional and physical growth in these young children. Our preschool focuses on cognitive progress, literacy and writing proficiency. Our preschool is made up of two classrooms serving a total of 30 children. Monday through Friday, these children are exposed to activities and learning that develop their brains, including science, mathematics, reading, creative play, art, and other initiatives. Our warm, flexible environment fosters wonder, curiosity and life long learning.
Impacting our community means developing a foundation for a lifetime of learning. This is a profound impact within our community where there is the greatest need. We want to make sure that children are kindergarten ready for free or for a very affordable cost. We develop a relationship with each child and family that lasts beyond preschool.
- Director(s): Lenny Reel