Youth Development

APNC prioritizes the intentional development of young people through projects they themselves create.

ANTI-VIOLENCE PROGRAMS

MOSAIYC (Murals On Streets + Allies Inspired by Youth Creators) 

Through a new project named MOSAIYC (Murals On Streets + Allies Inspired by Youth Creators) by APNC youth leaders, youth ages 14-19 are partnering with other community residents to design and paint murals on garage doors in areas where incidents of violence have taken place to promote anti-violence messages and lift up the value of young people in the community. This project is part of the Safety Networks Program. APNC began its mural arts programming years ago and currently has two murals in the community. 

Neighborhood Recovery Initiative

APNC is a part of the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative through which APNC employs 80 youth ages 15-19 to conduct community outreach to promote anti-violence messages in the community and connect community members to resources promoting healthier lifestyles.

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP, RECREATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT 

Bikes ‘n Roses

Through a new youth-led bike cooperative APNC youth leaders are creating leadership and job opportunities for youth in our community by teaching professional skills like bicycle maintenance and repair. In its effort to promote biking as a cleaner cheaper mode of transit, Bikes N' Roses will hold regular mobile bike clinics at local parks and community institutions to teach bikers how to repair their own bicycles. Bikes N' Roses will also run a youth Earn-A-Bike program that will teach youth how to construct a bicycle entirely out of used parts.

COLLEGE GUIDANCE

APNC provides one-on-one college guidance counseling to student leaders involved with APNC which includes working with students on the college search process, entrance applications, financial aid forms and college essays. Over the past two years, APNC has assisted its student leaders in obtaining over $625,000 in financial aid, with several students receiving full-tuition scholarships at area colleges and universities as a result. APNC is currently working with North Park University, a member institution of APNC, to develop a critical writing component to this program to increase young people’s skills and comfort in writing about their immigrant experience, personal narrative and engagement in social change organizing in preparation for the college essay.