The MyCom Approach to Youth Development

Youth Employment and Career Development

Focus: Giving young people the experiences to develop the skills they need to become self-sufficient, develop positive relationships, and contribute to the community.

What we’re doing: We are partnering with Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.), the City of Cleveland, and Cuyahoga County to secure jobs and internships for young adults. In the summer of 2009, 3,622 such opportunities were made available to local youth, and we continue to work hard to find many more.

Out-of-School Time

Focus: Offering a wide range of activities after school, on the weekends, and during the summer to engage kids in fun, positive experiences.

What we’re doing: Through Starting Point, MyCom has helped to fund more than 34 out-of-school-time programs for young people.

Neighborhoods

Focus: Creating easy access for young people to fun and educational programming and services right in their neighborhoods.

What we’re doing: MyCom has launched neighborhood pilot programs in Bellaire/Puritas, Central, Cudell/West Park, Mount Pleasant, Parma, St. Clair/Superior, Shaker Heights, and Slavic Village.

School Transitions

Focus: Helping kids and families smoothly navigate transitions such as home to kindergarten, elementary school to middle school, middle school to high school, and high school to college.

What we’re doing: In partnership with the Cleveland Public Library, MyCom is working with organizations and families in Greater Cleveland to better prepare youth for entrance to kindergarten.