Casa Juan Diego (CJD) is the youth center of St. Pius V parish.  It was created in 1996 in response to residents' desire to offer their children an alternative to gangs and to improve their educational opportunities.  { SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1 TC \l1 "It is a community based educational and recreational center for Latino students, most from immigrant families where Spanish is the primary language.  Their parents generally lack the academic preparation and language literacy to help them in their studies, but because the parents are concerned about their children’s low state and district test scores in math and reading and their dropping out of school or entering a gang, they enroll and support them in CJD.  The vast majority of participants are lower income, 90% of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch.  While some fees are requested for certain activities (e.g., some field trips and classes), no one is denied a service because of lack of funds.  Furthermore, CJD is nonsectarian; its doors are open to everyone.

Casa Juan Diego’s mission is to contribute to the personal development of children and youth between the ages of 6 and 18 in a safe and positive environment through educational, cultural and recreational activities.

Our commitment is to cooperate in preparing the children and young people to be active and responsible citizens in their community.

Casa Juan Diego is providing academic support and development in personal and social skills to 200 unduplicated Latino youth from 2:30-8:30 pm Monday-Friday and 9:00 am-1:00 pm Saturdays.  Approximately 100 students participate in CJD activities each day; 135 families participate in CJD each year.

CJD’s After-School Program serves youth ages 6-18 the program includes academic tutoring, homework assistance, structured recreation, cultural activities, computer training, college prep sessions, sports, educational field trips, personal and social developmental trainings. 

The Youth Leadership program works with Latino youth 13-17 years old, graduating each year at least 30 students with greater self-confidence and commitment to serve their communities. Staff trains and supervises 5 youth coordinators who work with the youth in small, reflect on their world, perform community service, learn communication skills, perform community service, and hear speakers on broad range of topics.

Because CJD recognizes the importance of parental contribution and enthusiasm in children’s education, it involves parents at every level of its after-school program.  Staff contacts each student’s family at least twice every year and parents are encouraged to visit CJD at anytime to communicate with the staff or learn about their children’s activities/participation.  CJD also offers approximately 10 family events each year.

Furthermore, CJD trains and educates parents to be leaders in the community.  A group of 12 parents began taking self-development training that sharpened their parenting skills and improved their computer knowledge.  After completing the training, these parents became leaders at CJD and involved other parents of children and teenagers at Casa Juan Diego, assisting them to grow personally, improve their parenting skills, and become involved in the youth center together with their children. The original 12 parents now make up an official leadership body of CJD known as the Parent’s Council. Members of this group are actively involved in the evaluation, planning and execution of CJD programs.  Throughout the year, the Parent’s Council meets once a week to receive trainings and once a month to evaluate/plan future activities, and events.

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