About Us
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The YMCA has deep roots in Oakland. The Urban Services division brings together the oldest YMCA in Oakland (Eastlake – founded in 1882), with its newest (the Teen Center, opened in 2003), as well as the 60-year-old M. Robinson Baker YMCA. Urban Services creates an environment that encourages youth and families to enjoy healthy lifestyle activities together. Urban Services’ mission is to empower urban youth to be honest, responsible, caring and respectful of themselves, their families and their communities.
Eastlake YMCA’s 15,000-square foot facility includes a full gymnasium, classrooms and outdoor play area. It is one of the largest providers of programs in the economically disadvantaged East Oakland neighborhood.
When the M. Robinson Baker YMCA opened in 1947, it was called the Northwest Oakland YMCA. When its building was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake; the community rallied to its aid. MRB reopened in 1996. MRB provides place-based health and wellness services that nurture healthy lifestyles with an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, outdoor gardening area, classrooms and computer lab.
The building that houses the YMCA Teen Center was a gift from William E. Goodwin. Developing it into a state-of-the-art facility was made possible by a $500,000 donation from Citibank. The YMCA Teen Center officially opened its doors on May 8, 2003.
LEADERSHIP
Larry Austin, Executive Director
Larry Austin works with passion to achieve the mission of the Urban Services YMCA. His involvement with community and youth development began with a position at the House of Champions Boys Group Home in Richmond, Calif. He served as the principal of Faith Christian Academy for three years and is currently the young adult pastor at Oakland’s Faith Presbyterian Church. Austin holds a BA in sociology from Portland State University, Oregon.
Executive Leadership Staff:
Jennifer Hicks, Fiscal Management Director
Adrian Henderson, Community Programs Director
Kyiandra Curtis, Business Management Director
Faris Wallace, Performance Management Director
Cesar Cruz, Intervention Support Services Director
Urban Services YMCA - Mission, Vision, Goals, and Objectives 2009-2010
The efficiency of an organization is dependent on their adaptability. The year 2009 brought about much change in the political and economic spectrum and as a result, changed the needs of the community. To best suit the needs of the community, in particular the youth, the Urban Services YMCA tweaked its mission, vision, goals, and objectives for the 2009-2010 year. While the mission and goals changed, our history remains unchanged, leaving the mission and vision as valid as our vision five years ago.
HISTORY
The Urban Services YMCA is a branch of the YMCA of the East Bay Association and has deep roots in the East and West Oakland communities. It was formed in 2004 by organizing three inner-city YMCAs-Eastlake, M. Robinson Baker and the YMCA Teen Center- under a single umbrella. We provide programs and services at these three Urban Services branches and in schools throughout Oakland. We work diligently to collaborate within our communities to create diverse and accessible programs for youth and families of Oakland.
THE VISION
Urban Services YMCA is...
- A pillar of Youth Development
- Facilitates high quality and high impact comprehensive Afterschool programs
- Act as strong partners with OUSD (elementary, middle, and high school)
- Provide creative branch based wrap-around services and programs.
OUR MISSION
Urban Services YMCA exists to educate the minds of our youth; encourage their creativity and growth; expose them to resources and opportunities; and engage them in their personal development.
We can achieve our mission through the following programmatic emphases:
¨ Academic Support
¤ Tutoring, Homework Support,
¤ CASHEE Prep, SAT/ACT Prep, College Planning
¤ Credit Recovery
¨ Life Skills Development
¤ Social Interaction & Public Speaking
¤ Critical Thinking & Civic Engagement
¤ Character Development & Values Education
¤ Decision Making & Behavior Modification
¨ Career Education & Planning
¤ Self-Identification and Exploration of Potential Career Pathways
¤ Research and Exposure to Mentors and Internships
¤ Career Development Portfolio
THE GOALS
Our youth are...
¨ motivated learners and are achieving academic success.
¨ confident and have the personal and social skills needed to succeed in life.
¨ actively engaged in planning their career pathway.
THE OBJECTIVES
Urban Services YMCA will...
¨ Recruit, train and support staff capable of delivering our services.
¨ Attract sufficient investment to support the organizational capacities.
¨ Reflect the highest quality of youth development.
¨ Every strategic partnership is highly effective, optimal and mutually valued.
Get involved in the mission and vision of the Urban Services YMCA, join or volunteer today!