Mission Statement
"TheThirdStreetCommunity Centeris a place where people of all ages and backgrounds are actively engaged in enriching themselves and their community through education, arts, technology, and service."
Project Based Learningis an educational strategy that engages children through interactive hands-on activities. This enhances learning by helping children make connections between complex math and science to every day life. We utilize this strategy in all our youth programs.
Our Whole Child, Whole Family, & Whole Communityapproachpromotes parent engagement and engages volunteers in our work. Each year, over 125 volunteers help us create an energetic learning environment so children can begin to envision the path towards a college education.
Embracing Diversitymeans being inclusive of the many cultures that live, go to school, and work inSilicon Valley. Diversity is celebrated and embraced as an asset atThird Street.
Description
The Third Street Community Center(Third Street) originated from a grassroots movement by community leaders who saw a need to help underserved children and youth succeed academically and thrive socially. Our volunteer program is a core part of our operations. Each year, we welcome over 125 volunteers ranging from college students to professionals in the business and technology sectors. Our volunteers give their time and talent to serve as tutors, mentors, coaches, instructors as well as offer specialized skill sets such as IT support, graphic design skills, and much more.
Our key initiative is Inspiring Young Minds and Families. This initiative weaves together key programs to serve academically at-risk children in San Jose.
1) The After School Academic Program provides children with tutoring, physical activities, science education and mentoring from August to May, 3 hours per day, Monday to Thursday. Mentoring is a core program component and helps children develop self confidence, build self esteem and develop leadership skill and children are connected to positive role models.
For the past 3 years, 97% of children in our After School Academic Program state that they plan to attend a University after finishing high school! [pre & post youth survey]
2) The Young Engineers Program teaches youth team building and leadership skills while providing career exploration opportunities in science, technology and engineering. This program runs from January to May, 3 hours per day, on Saturday.
3) The Summer Camps keeps children safe and learning during the summer. This 6-week program helps children maintain positive connections with mentors while building literacy skills and exploring the arts.
Third Street has served over 2,250 academically at-riskchildren since 1998!
