Today
As we step into the 21st century, NYA's educational enhancement program, PERSONAL BEST, reflects of the agency's past accomplishments and new direction. This program is designed to help each child become the best that he or she can be. We work intensively with youth from low-income families in Venice and Mar Vista. Through a comprehensive set of components, PERSONAL BEST serves children and youth from ages five through eighteen, and offers classes and activities for parents.

Neighborhood Youth Association's facility located in Mar Vista offers after-school enrichment activities for elementary, middle and high school students. Our Venice site, Las Doradas Children's Center, is a licensed pre-school for 2 to 5 year-olds, with a capacity of 36 children.

The top priority is academics throughout the year, with homework first during the school year and educational enrichment in summer. NYA has designed PERSONAL BEST to ensure that every young person will earn a high school diploma and go on to post-secondary education or training.

PERSONAL BEST incorporates four main components:

ACE (Academic/Curriculum Enhancement)
ACE compliments a student's school curriculum. Activities include academic skills building, computer skills training, tutoring and homework assistance.

PALS (Personal and Living Skills)
This component helps children and youth develop problem solving skills, self-esteem, social and communication skills.

Career Planning
This program exposes youth to a variety of careers, possible employment and post-secondary education opportunities, while emphasizing concrete job readiness skills and preparation.

Cultural Recreation Enrichment
This component introduces children to a wide variety of arts and recreation through classes, sports, trips to museums, performances and events.