Helping young people thrive, in school and in life.
Mission
Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education and, ultimately, to succeed in school and in life.
Vision
Youth Guidance sees a bright and successful future for every elementary and high school student. Because we believe that success in school is not only possible but should be achieved and celebrated, we are present in the schools to facilitate an environment that truly engages students in the learning process, and through careful guidance, enables them to realize their full potential and graduate with a meaningful plan for successfully managing life.
History
Founded in 1924 as the Church Mission of Help, Youth Guidance was created in response to an unmet need: supporting unwed mothers who faced tremendous stigma and needed shelter, clothing, medical care, financial and legal assistance, and educational and vocational opportunities.
Our Values
At Youth Guidance, we believe that creating a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected is fundamental to realizing our vision of bright and successful futures for all young people. At the same time, we recognize that many youth face barriers that limit opportunities for them to reach their full potential. We strive to celebrate the unique qualities of youth and recognize them as empowered leaders, problem-solvers, and experts of their own experiences by:
Strengthening our understanding of different cultures as well as policies, practices, and organizational structures that foster a sense of belonging and leverage the unique backgrounds and talents of staff;
Offering youth-centered programs that are accessible and responsive to a wide range of people;
Influencing systems that youth, their families and communities are impacted by, such as schools, organizational networks, governmental bodies, researchers, and the funding community, to apply approaches that address the needs and support the aspirations of young people.
