Youth Development Services

We serve over 100 children, teens, and transitional-aged youth each year with culturally attuned, trauma-informed programs that promote wellness, creative expression, and leadership.

Trusted by community

CERI’s Youth Development Services began in 2008 in response to community concerns about the impact of neighborhood violence on children and grandchildren. Today, CERI services include mentorship, tutoring, arts-based groups, therapy, and care coordination.

Core Programs

  • Youth leaders come together to examine issues affecting their lives, such as substance use prevention, anti-Asian hate, immigration, and the school-to-prison pipeline, and develop advocacy and leadership skills.

    This work culminates in a summer leadership camp that integrates nature-based experiences, guest speakers, and expressive arts, followed by a youth-led community symposium. 

  • We also facilitate weekly groups that support young people to build peer networks and skills for self reflection and responsiveness.

    One example is our All About Love group. Inspired by bell hooks, this is a space for young women and girls to connect about self-love, body liberation, relationships, anger, grief, boundaries and healing.

  • Our youth programs aim to uplift and celebrate refugee and immigrant identities through art, such as the Khmer Amathak Dance Troupe, which preserves Cambodian classical dance, and The Hamro Project: Culture. Connection. Community, which celebrates Nepali cultural dance.  

  • We provide assistance with school enrollment, tutoring, career exploration, and personalized academic support, mentorship, and skill-building, so that youth build confidence to pursue goals and are equipped with resources and tools needed for long-term educational and career success.

Across all services, youth receive ongoing mentorship and wraparound support to foster resilience, belonging, and leadership for social justice.