CYC is a trusted supporter of the local Asian Pacific Islander community in San Francisco, known for our many programs that benefit the API community throughout the city and in each neighborhood. We focus on building the local API community and on building bridges between communities throughout the city.
CYC programs that benefit the API community and have a high visibility within the API community include disaster preparedness, after school programs, our Beacon school programs, behavioral health and intervention services, violence prevention, advocacy, language and culture adaptation, leadership development, workforce development, street power washing, and racial harmony work.
CYC manages a pool of 400+ volunteers gathered from local public schools for a wide range of community activities, including street festivals and public races; street, park, and beach cleanup; youth advocacy; senior companionship, activities, and technology training.
Our community-led approach includes and assumes deep collaboration with API nonprofits, business partners, and government for program delivery, advocacy, training, and events.
CYC has joined with three other local API nonprofits to form the Coalition for Community Safety and Justice. CYC serves as the fiscal sponsor for CCSJ and through the Coalition provides coordinated street outreach and crisis response services.
CYC has a strong presence in all SF neighborhoods with high API populations, including the Bayview, Chinatown, Ingleside, Mission/Excelsior, Richmond, Sunset, and Tenderloin .
Although all CYC programs benefit the local API community, the following are specifically attuned to API community needs:
APIVPS (Asian Pacific Islander Violence Prevention Services) works to reconnect at-risk API youth with caring adults and peers by providing financial, social, and recreational resources, building individual strengths, and promoting the importance of youth and family communication.
Asian Pacific Islander Youth & Family Community Support Services (APIYFCSS) addresses mental health stigma, limited access to linguistically and culturally appropriate services, and co-factors surrounding API youth and LGTBQ youth specific mental health issues such as violence and substance abuse.
Asian Pacific Islander Youth Leadership Council (APIYLC) meets weekly to encourage leadership development, social awareness, and civic engagement among API youth. Program workshops focus on topics that are important to local youth, including racism, civic engagement, and mental health.
Advocating for Unity, Resilience, and Acceptance (AURA) empowers female youth with leadership development and learning about body positivity and media literacy through skills-based themes and developing a social media campaign. Female youth are paired with a mentor who help guide them through the semester.
Bayview Youth Advocates (BYA) is composed of youth leaders in the Bayview committed to cultural vibrancy, youth inclusion, and racial harmony throughout the neighborhood. Youths attend weekly after school meetings and monthly events to develop leadership, advocacy, and organizing skills.
Dragon Boat is focused on improving youth’s health and fitness and developing the discipline, skills, teamwork, and strategies needed for dragon boat racing. It is also the only community-based high school dragon boat team in the city. The team competes nationally and internationally.
Job Readiness for English Language Learners (JRELL) is a workforce development program that provides training and workplace experience to youth aged 14-18 who are primarily immigrant English Language Learners to ensure they are ready and prepared to succeed in school, work, and life.
Supporting Transitions & Aspirations Mentorship Program (STAMP) provides API high school sophomores and juniors with academic, life, and college application skill-building and mentorship. Mentors meet their mentees once a month on Saturdays to build rapport and provide guidance.
Transition Opportunities and Programs for Success (TOPS) provides a vital set of wraparound services that connect newly immigrated and monolingual, high-risk API Transitional Aged Youth (age 17-24) with caring adults and peers to help them successfully transition into adulthood.
Young Asian Women Against Violence (YAWAV) is a 9-month youth leadership program where youth learn about the root causes and impact of violence. The program is dedicated to the positive empowerment and development of Asian Pacific Islander high school-aged young women.
Founded in 1972, Youth for Community Engagement (YCE) promotes self-development, communication skills, and a positive attitude to help immigrant youth and elderly adapt to a new country. Youth learn the value of what it means to give back and build a community through volunteerism.
AYPS (Asian Youth Prevention Services) partners with multiple agencies citywide that work together to promote a substance abuse program. The program teaches youth about leading a healthy lifestyle, making sound choices, and avoiding the pitfalls and dangers of drug, alcohol, and nicotine abuse.