Pico Youth & Family Center

Programs: In 2016-17 the pico youth & family center (pyfc) continued to make progress on goals that were established in our strategic plan and also started new partnerships and programming to strengthen our offerings in counseling, art, entertainment and technology. Our programming in 206-17 was bolstered by a $50,000 cash match from the city of santa monica and pyfc contracted a grant writer to strengthen our fundraising capacity. In this reporting period, pyfc entered into an mou with usc's graduate school of social work to expand mental health services for clients and continued our services in culturally relevant and engaging counseling for immigrant mothers. New program offerings in 2016-17 included healthy cooking and wellness workshops along with standard events such as pyfc's annual xmas toy drive and our annual graduation celebration for our graduates. Pyfc's unique and varied programming provided training and support to more than 246 registered youth and our culturally relevant community events such as the west los unity car show, venice cinco de mayo parade and westside film festival attracted hundreds of families. Aside from specialized programming and services, pyfc provided a free space daily for youth and community to meet, learn, perform, and create through our innovative facility that offers a free computer lab, recording studio, big screen and performance space. The pyfc is strengthening career options and employment opportunities in art, entertainment and technology for underserved youth in our community. At the beginning of this reporting period, the pyfc launched the digital dream summer academy. This six week academy provided hands-on, project-based learning where participants created songs, videos and graphics using the state of the industry software. Pyfc partnered with operation street kidz to host our second westside film festival. We plan to contract with operation street kidz to strengthen our film program offerings in 2017-18. Local company truecar also provided weekly mentorship to youth participants at pyfc through workshops and discussions focusing on financial literacy and goal setting. Mental health, wellness and counseling servicesnicole wilson from usc's graduate school of social work joined pyfc's team and conducted in-takes and opened case files with youth participants who requested counseling and case management services. Youth attended individual therapy sessions on a weekly basis at pyfc and on campus of santa monica high. Culturally relevant mental health services for immigrant mothers was delivered through bi-weekly sessions at pyfc. These empowering sessions were led by pyfc parent, yoga instructor and current phd student, mercedes gertz. In total, 10 mothers received one on one and group sessions along with yoga. All of the parent participants are immigrants who have experienced trauma. Grant support from providence saint john's health center gave pyfc the opportunity to contract the services of local chef chuy cueva. 18 youth and young adults participated in 10 weekly cooking classes that focused on proper food handling, healthy cooking on a low budget and the proper use of cooking utensils and equipment. During this reporting cycle pyfc staff supported the creation and development of the homeboy & homegirl club at santa monica college. This unique club provides a supportive space for formerly incarcerated students, immigrant students (dreamers) and first generation college students. In 2016-17 the pyfc continued its role in providing a free recording studio and performance space for youth and aspiring artists. Our music program provided 48 youth training in state of the industry recording software. Providing artist development workshops and a performance space for youth-led events compliments our recording studio. Youth artists, with staff support and supervision, organized performances and cd release events for their individual projects. Pyfc's sixth cd compilation was completed towards the end of this reporting period.