Engagement with CYM: Building Deeper Relationships
At City Youth Matrix (CYM), our mission is summed up in three key actions: Connect youth, Empower parents, Engage community. For those new to CYM, the first two are easy to grasp—connecting children with opportunities and empowering parents to support their growth. But what does engagement truly mean?
At its core, CYM is about helping children reach their full potential by connecting them with enrichment programs. However, we know that a child’s success is directly tied to their family’s well-being. That’s why we prioritize strengthening parent engagement and family empowerment every day. But to fully realize our mission, we need more than just family involvement—we need an engaged community. This is where the CYM Matrix comes into play.
Community Engagement Through Local Partnerships
A unique and central feature of the CYM Matrix is our reliance on existing community resources to deliver enrichment opportunities. Instead of reinventing the wheel, we partner with over 40 local businesses—our Enrichment Partners (EPs)—who provide expert programming in the arts, athletics, music, and STEM. These businesses offer their services at significantly reduced rates because they trust that CYM will consistently connect at-risk youth and parents with their programs. This model doesn’t just benefit families—it also strengthens the local economy. In fact, over the past six years, CYM has reinvested more than $293,000 into our community through these partnerships.
Volunteer Engagement: Giving and Receiving
Beyond organizational partnerships, CYM is deeply committed to engaging individuals in the community through meaningful volunteer opportunities. Our approach to volunteering is different—it’s not about heavy lifting, but about building relationships. We believe our volunteers have just as much to give as they have to receive from the families they support.
CYM volunteers serve in a variety of roles, including workshop assistants, family liaisons, drivers, and interpreters. With flexible commitments ranging from one to four hours per month, volunteers participate in hands-on experiences like woodworking, arts and crafts, outdoor education, and trade workshops. They also join families at quarterly dinners and provide crucial transportation to enrichment programs. While each role has specific responsibilities, the underlying theme is reciprocity—volunteers leave with a deeper sense of purpose and connection.
The Future of Engagement at CYM
As we have grown, we’ve built a strong foundation for connecting youth and empowering parents. Now, we are elevating our engagement efforts, creating a movement that is becoming more relational and impactful than ever before. Community involvement isn’t just growing—it’s deepening. We are excited for the future, where engagement means more than participation—it means connection, trust, and shared growth.
Join us in this journey—because when we come together as a community, everyone benefits.
To learn more about our volunteer opportunities, please click here.