MyCom is a network of people who believe youth development is a direct path to healthy, safe communities for everyone. We build strengths in young people and their neighborhoods by connecting existing programs and resources, and funding opportunities for positive growth. We also encourage all sectors of society to take responsibility for children’s development and transition into productive adulthood.
Our Mission
To connect young people in Greater Cleveland with positive experiences and caring adults they need to lead good lives, supplementing the parenting and education of our youth.
Our Vision
By inspiring and preparing young people in Greater Cleveland to reach their potential and contribute to their community, MyCom is a key success factor in their lives.
Our History
In 2006, the Cleveland Foundation undertook research to identify and evaluate existing programs and services for youth in Greater Cleveland. Based on its findings, the foundation convened many key community partners to create an effective system to support our young people. Cuyahoga County government stepped up early and in a big way, with $3.4 million and a commitment to manage day-to-day operations of MyCom through its Family & Children First Council.
Today, this youth movement – MyCom – aims to inspire and prepare Greater Cleveland’s young people, kindergarten through graduation, to reach their full potential and become good citizens. It exposes kids to a variety of activities and experiences that allow them to explore new interests and learn new skills. It connects them to a network of caring and committed adults – teachers, mentors, employers, and others – who offer guidance and encouragement. MyCom prepares Greater Cleveland’s young people to enter early adulthood with the ability to foster healthy relationships throughout their lives and the skills to compete in a global economy.
There are five components of MyCom that support the goals of the Family & Children First Council Child Wellbeing Plan. The components are: Advocacy, Out-of-School Time, Neighborhood Capacity, Youth Engagement and Youth Employment. These components are also in line with other County initiatives such as System of Care and Healthy Communities.
Advocacy
Voices for Ohio’s Children has been identified as the lead agency in the area of Advocacy. Voices works with various partners to provide MyCom with advocacy, communications materials, media relations and training. They develop an administrative and budget advocacy agenda and timeline. Voices works with various programs and the selected neighborhoods to identify stories for storybanking.
Out-of-School Time
Starting Point has been identified as the lead agency to develop the repository of services, identify gaps and barriers to services and provide technical assistance to struggling programs. In the early stages, the plan focuses on activities for youth when they are not in school such as recreation, tutoring, leadership and civic opportunities, job training and employment readiness. A resource and referral service for afterschool and summer youth programs is now available to the public by calling 216-575-0061.
Neighborhood Capacity
Neighborhood Leadership Institute has been identified as the lead agency for Neighborhood Capacity. MyCom is currently in 8 neighborhoods: Central, Cudell, Mt. Pleasant, Parma, St. Clair/Superior, Shaker Heights, Slavic Village, and West Park.
Youth Engagement
The Partnership for Safer Cleveland has been identified as the lead agency for youth engagement. Partnership facilitates the engagement of a diverse group of youth leaders from Cuyahoga County to be involved in the planning, implementation, communications, outreach, and evaluation of MyCom. Partnership plans and initiates strategies for various levels of youth involvement and leadership. Partnership is responsible for the recruitment, orientation, training, and support of youth leaders. In addition, Partnership provides training for Lead Agencies and as well as capacity building for these agencies that includes supporting youth in their decision making processes. Special training will be given that will promote the development of equitable partnerships among youth and organizations. MyCom has taken special care that there are a number of ways to gather input from the young people and to actively involve them in all aspects of this movement.
Youth Employment
While the lead agency for Youth Employment has not been identified, an emphasis for this component is summer employment, year-round employment, career development and exploration. The Cleveland Foundation, County and City partners, businesses, and Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) have worked together to leverage dollars for summer youth employment.
Ways to connect to the MyCom network:
Parents or Youth, looking for:
Youth programs (after school, summers, holidays)
Call Starting Point at 216-575-0061
Youth employment opportunities
Visit Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) at www.youthopportunities.org
Leadership opportunities for children ages 13 to 18
Call Alicia Petrella at Partnership for a Safer Cleveland at 216-523-1128, or download this flyer of places offering leadership opportunities
Neighborhood residents, looking for:
Community leadership opportunities; how to join a neighborhood mobilization team
Call Neighborhood Leadership Institute at 216-812-8700
Mentoring/volunteer opportunities
Call Greater Cleveland Volunteers at 216-391-9500
Speakers/presenters on youth development
Leave a request on the MyCom line at 216-698-8927
Donation opportunities
Call the Cleveland Foundation at 216-861-3810
Organizations and businesses, looking for:
Ways to join the network
Leave a request on the MyCom line at 216-698-8927
Ways to offer summer jobs/internships/job shadowing
Visit Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) at www.youthopportunities.org
Ways to become a funding partner
Call the Cleveland Foundation at 216-861-3810
Networking opportunities with other organizations through a neighborhood mobilization team
Call Neighborhood Leadership Institute at 216-812-8700
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CONNECT TO MYCOM OPPORTUNITIES:
Afterschool and Summer Programs
Connect to any-age positive youth programs by calling Starting Point at 216-575-0061.
Youth Leadership
Join a teen leadership team by calling Partnership for a Safer Cleveland at 216-523-1128 or download this flyer of places that offer leadership opportunities.
Youth Jobs
Learn about teen jobs through Youth Opportunities Unlimited at 216-566-5445.
Neighborhood Engagement
Join people from other sectors of your community to make positive changes. Call Neighborhood Leadership Institute at 216-812-8700.
Resources:
OUR COMMUNITY REPORT: A comprehensive look at MyCom's history and purpose, this document includes results in each of MyCom's focus areas of youth development from our 2009-2010 programming.
MYCOM BOOKLET: This document has "who we are" and "what we do" information about the MyCom network, detailing the focus areas and partners doing youth development work, as well as giving contact information useful to families, donors, and community partners.
POSITIVE ACTIVITIES BROCHURE: Contains partner phone numbers and opportunities.
GUIDE TO PROMOTING YOUTH VOICE: "Building Stronger Communities Through Our Youth" brochure includes tips to help adults work more effectively with young people.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL FLYER: Includes ways to connect to positive opportunities that build communities and reduce crime.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FLYER: A listing of neighborhood agencies and other groups that offer leadership councils for youth.
RADIO ADS:
Kindergarten Preregistration
My Connection for Life: After-school activities
My Connection for Life: Youth leadership opportunities
Back-to-School, Part 1
Back-to-School, Part 2
Basheer Jones, 1
Basheer Jones, 2
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