The Southwest Youth Collaborative has touched the lives of many people in different ways. Cultivating the critical minds and nurturing the tender hearts of our young people is of the utmost importance. Our mission is to unleash the potential of youth from diverse racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds to become actively contributing members of society through initiatives that engage young people in working for a better world.

To this end, our programs work to build self-esteem, personal and social growth, cooperation, leadership, cross-cultural understanding, and community awareness. At the same time, our organizing efforts work to build youth and community power in decision-making processes affecting children, youth, and families.

Our Vision

We believe that every child has the right to access resources she or he needs to become a responsible adult. We believe that the values of our country-democracy, justice and equality-are given meaning and reality when young people experience them directly and help establish them. Guided by these beliefs, we have created a coordinated system of youth services located throughout our communities. These programs include primary and specialized services.

We believe that every person in our community has a right to benefit from our efforts and has a perspective to contribute in building them. To give meaning to this commitment, SWYC builds power and self-determination among low-income youth and families and seeks to create a leadership and power base for disenfranchised young people and their families. SWYC has created a unique model of organizing that develops intergenerational, multi-racial, and gender balanced leadership for social justice and institutional change around the issues affecting youth and families. This model employs a strong youth-led component that puts young people at the forefront of analysis, decision-making, and organizing.