Community Youth Center Provides Diverse Array of Services

By Judith Kahn

"To empower young people to reach their highest potential as individuals and to develop a positive self/cultural identity."

This is the mission statement of the Community Youth Center (CYC), created in 1970 to serve Asian youth and parents at risk. Many of the families served at CYC have immigrated from Southern Canton and Hong Kong.

The lives of some of the young people served by the CYC are often affected by substance abuse, depression, anger and gang violence.

According to Sarah Ching-Ting Wan, director of the center, CYC differs from other community centers in that its main focus is to provide programs to underserved youth by empowering them while providing a safe environment.

The organization has several locations throughout the City, including the Richmond Employment Center, located at 619 Sixth Ave., and the Computer Clubhouse, run by CYC at 217 Clement St.

CYC's program is composed of five elements - youth leadership development, education, intervention, prevention and employment.

The educational component consists of five tiers. The Intel Macromedia Computer Clubhouse, which is a collaboration between Intel Macromedia and the Boston Museum of Science, was created to help students develop computer skills, such as working with web pages, photographs, animation, web searches, music composition and basic office skills.

County Community School (CCS) is another program that provides academic credits toward a diploma for students who have dropped out of traditional schools.

The newest program at CYC, Inventing Intelligence For Youth (IIFY), is funded by Merrill Lynch. It promotes financial literacy by teaching personal financial skills, entrepreneurial and investment exploration opportunities.

Another program, "AACE," provides students with all facets of college preparation.

The Employment Program is composed of three segments. The Mayor's Employment and Education Program provides a comprehensive system of youth employment and development services for high school students, aged 14 - 19, who reside in the City. Through this program they get paid as they gain on-the-job training experience, primarily with non-profit organizations, while attending weekly workshops. Employment services for Sunset and Richmond district youth are available at CYC.

The Youth Employment Project (YEP) provides job readiness and placement services for low-income youth, aged 16 - 25, by instilling effective work habits.

The Employment Training Center (ETC) provides free training courses to aid youth on their road to employability by conducting workshops, including computer programming and resume writing.

An integral component of the CYC is intervention. Depression is a common condition among youth. There are counselors who speak Cantonese at school to speak with students who are having difficulties. Often, these students find themselves in a home environment with adults absent much of the time. Through the intervention program parents are counseled on how to achieve better communication with their children and deal with problems at home. Parents and children work together on activities that they both enjoy.

Funding for CYC comes from four sources: city government, foundation and corporate donations, fund-raising events and individual donations. Due to the call for city budget cuts, Wan fears CYC could be facing a 15 percent loss in funding.

The greatest need for the center, Wan said, is to maintain funding to sustain present and new programs and pay rising rent costs.

With all of its challenges, CYC has many success stories to report - one of which is Leland (not his real name).

Leland began his participation at CYC at the age of 14. Despite growing up surrounded by drugs and gang violence, he is now one of the youngest team leaders to be hired at CYC. He interacts well with youths from low-income backgrounds and knows how to offer encouragement. Even though budget cuts have reduced his salary, he works daily with enthusiasm and dedication.

It's not unusual for students who have participated in CYC's programs to return as volunteers, mentors and teachers.

For more information about CYC, call (415) 775-2636 or go to the website at www.cycsf.org.