Community Partnership for Youth

At risk youth in Monterey County will gain self-esteem and confidence, show a positive attitude based on integrity and respect, reinforced by the CPY Standards. They will succeed in their academic endeavors, be better prepared to avoid drugs, gangs, violence, and develop the tools they need to lead a successful life.
o 90% of students will be able to recite and demonstrate the CPY Standards.
o 85% of students will report increased self- esteem and confidence.
o 85% of students will report and demonstrate a positive attitude and respect for others.
o 15% increase in reading scores across CPY students.
o 10% of CPY students will perform better on California Standards Test (CST) and California English Language Development Test (CELDT).
o 80% of students will express interest in pursuing higher education.

In the Afterschool Mentor/Tutor Program, the backbone of CPY's comprehensive academic program is personalized interaction. In this one on one student/mentor interaction, emphasis is placed on learning, not just completing assignments. By working daily with students in academic, social and extracurricular settings, mentor/tutors bond with the children, and they in turn have a special connection in their lives. Mentors can structure their assistance hoping to understand and meet the complex needs of the child. During summer break, CPY will again host the 5 week all-day Intersession Program. In an effort to combat summer learning loss, days are filled with disguised learning and enrichment activities. The longer day also helps to allow for an even greater depth of interaction between the students and the Mentor Tutors. In an effort to support parents as their children get into middle school and high school, CPY will also be facilitating the Strengthening Families Program (SFP), a nationally recognized curriculum that provides parent, youth and family education. The program serves families with preadolescents and young adolescents. Building healthy family communication is crucial during these times in order to try to reduce substance abuse, aggressive behavior and the breakdown of the family unit.

CPY is a prevention program providing healthy alternatives for instead of drugs, gangs and violence. The total program consists of the Afterschool Mentor/Tutor Program; a five-week all-day Summer Program; a Middle School Leadership Program; a High School Life Skills Program; a seven week Strengthening Families Program (SFP); and a Visual and Performing Arts Academy. CPY believes reversing negative behavior patterns in the most at-risk youth provides the very best chance helping them to succeed. These programs offer students a real and tangible opportunity for success in school and life, and this is how CPY has strategically differentiated itself from other prevention programs. CPY works with the “whole" child, in a structured setting with a set of Standards based on teaching respect, truth telling, and treating others as you would wish to be treated. Many CPY Program Mentor Tutors have participated and learned through experience as a student in the program, and therefore are able to embody and model the Standards, thus providing students with the importance and integrity of the principles. All CPY programs require the Standards be recited by the participants together, and are reinforced by Program Mentor Tutors every day so they are internalized by the students – and the students can live their meaning. As the CPY programs demand discipline, students are required to attend program activities daily. CPY also reaches out to parents to help them with tools they may need for themselves and their children. Vulnerable students need more caring adults in their lives. Consequently, CPY offers these unique program characteristics:
1. Establishment of clear standards of behavior and personal character.
2. Comprehensive Conflict Resolution training for staff and students.
3. Close communications with parents and host schools.
4. A strong emphasis on learning; literacy is imperative.
5. Focus on healthy living through outdoor activities, sports and good nutrition.
6. An opportunity to communicate through the arts.
7. Commitment to hiring within the community.
8. Quality staffing that guarantees effective mentoring and tutoring.
9. Partnerships that directly involve the community, thereby enriching the program and benefiting those concerned.

CPY has grown as our students have grown. We have endeavored to construct programs as we look at the "whole child" and see their needs. A blessing is to have students grow up in the program and choose to give back by being mentors. Testimonials from High School Leadership Program students show the growth:

“What I have learned in CPY is how to be a leader. I learned this over the summer from current staff. Ms. Julissa taught me that a leader must be friendly, but firm. Ms. Ruth taught me how to be authoritative. Ms. Klara taught me how to keep cool in stressful situations. All of these have been very useful this summer, and I plan on using them continually in my life.”
– K Morse, HSL

“Last year, we started a Culture Club and we weren’t sure if the kids would even like it. However, we still decided to put our best into it, and this year three times as many kids joined! We learned that even through doubt, it’s better to take the lead and try.”
– K Bejarano, HSL

“What I have learned in CPY is how to be a leader. A good leader is a role model to all the kids. Being a role model requires being respectful, kind, and honest. Kids look up to the leaders, so we have to make sure we are good role models”
– O Cardenas, HSL

“The reason why I come to CPY is to lend a hand to the youth. I feel that guidance while transitioning into all these different eras of life is super important, because it can become super confusing when they don’t have help. I know that I am a strong leader, and I have a very big heart, so I enjoy being here and helping others for my own happiness.”
– I Skylark, HSL

“One of the reasons why I come to CPY is to set a positive role model for the children and by doing so hope that they won’t be easily influenced by negative alternatives. Nowadays, children can be easily influenced by other people who are either using drugs or affiliated with gangs. Being here at CPY helps children move away from those negative alternatives, in more positive ones such as doing art or helping improve the community.”
– E Pecjo, HSL

“The reason why I come to CPY is to have something positive to do with my summer. I could easily stay home all day or hang out with my friends all day, but I decided I wanted to do something more productive. I thought this would be a great opportunity to learn how to handle a little responsibility and be a little more prepared for the real world. I am proud to say CPY has helped shape me into the person I am today.”
– J Espinoza-Verduzco, HSL

“What I have learned in CPY is to be proud of myself. I was never the popular kids in school or the one student who completely committed to their studies. I would often compare myself to them and feel inferior as a result. In response to this, I like to remember the CPY Standards, especially the last one. Standard number six is about how one should reflect our beauty, be it physical or conceptual.”
– M Perez, HSL