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UCLA student and Preschool parent Cecilia works with a student at MVFC's Preschool program.

Since 1977, MVFC has been educating preschoolers and their families. The Preschool Program is built on the key philosophy that parents should be actively involved as partners in their children's education. Parents are required to volunteer one day each week as assistant teachers, helping their children achieve age-appropriate physical, cognitive, literacy, social and emotional competence while learning early childhood education principles that they use at home and school.

After their preschool experiences, many parents find that they are interested in making a career in Early Childhood Education. To help them, MVFC has collaborated with the UCLA Extension School since 1984 to provide courses at the MVFC site for its Early Childhood Teacher Certification Program. Through the generosity of the Tikun Olam Foundation many MVFC participants have been able to receive scholarships for tuition and study materials.

Since the inception of this program, nearly 100 parents have received certification, enabling them to find employment as day care providers and preschool teachers. This year MVFC is pleased to announce that 12 MVFC parents will be completing their rigorous course work and receiving the Basic Core Certificate and one parent will continue on to the Advanced Certificate program.

We applaud these women for their dedication and thank the Tikun Olam Foundation for making these dreams a reality!

My Community introduces Jeanette Mendez, By Youth For Youth Leadership President

The By Youth for Youth(BYFY) program is built on MVFC's self-empowerment and personal responsibility philosophies, guiding youth to become leaders in their own lives, as well as in the lives of their families and their communities. Today, more than 900 children and teens are benefiting from the many effective MVFC Youth Programs. It is MVFC's key objective to continue bringing in more children and youth who are currently on the waiting list.

The College Prep Program begins when students enter into middle school, engaging them and their parents with the objective of creating a College Bound Culture in every home. The program encourages parent participation to break down the barriers of attending college by inviting the entire family into the college application process. Students and parents receive academic tutoring, guidance on the SAT and exploration of financial aid options.

This year, the President of the BYFY is shining star Jeanette Mendez. 

Jeanette first came to MVFC at age 12 as a summer camp participant. Impressed with her leadership skills and ability to work with her peers, MVFC asked her to serve as one of the Day Camp Coordinators. Asked about her leadership role, Jeanette explained, "I feel it is important to give back to the younger youth, just as older youth helped me."  

Jeanette's motivation does not end with MVFC's activities. She is a Senior at Venice High School and is on the Yearbook staff. As a straight A student, Mendez has applied to numerous colleges and is awaiting her acceptance letters. Still undecided whether she will choose a Psychology or Engineering route, at the age of 18 she still has some time. 

Volunteer Maria Villegas helps elementary school children with their homework.

Each year over 600 volunteers provide vital skills and enrichment opportunities to the MVFC community. In fact, MVFC could not run as many of its effective early childhood and youth programs without the assistance of these dedicated people. On any day of the week, you can find volunteers tutoring children and youth, coaching sports, teaching dance, facilitating arts and crafts, and helping to cook and serve youth dinners. 

Tutors play a particularly important role in the lives of the hundreds of students who come to MVFC after their regular school day.  At MVFC they can find a safe, nurturing space to do their homework, ask questions and receive more intensive tutoring, if needed. This provides the MVFC youths with the skills and confidence they need to advance in their school work and keep on the right track for college.

It is our pleasure to introduce to you to Maria Villegas a Loyola Marymount University student, who has become one of the MVFC's most dedicated volunteers in its After-School Tutoring Program. Despite her demanding college schedule and her membership in the LMU Creare Service Organization, Maria chooses to help our elementary school children in grades 1 to 5.

"I work hard to find two days a week when I can volunteer at MVFC. At first tutoring was quite a challenge, said Maria. "But then one day I remember walking into the elementary tutoring room and a few children yelled my name and ran over to me. I had finally made it! It was one of the best and most rewarding feelings. It just hit me. Wow. I really am making a difference, an impression on these kids' lives. It made everything so worth it."

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Sandy Sirirat at 310.390.9607. MVFC is especially in need of qualified ESL and Computer Skills teachers.