ABOUT US

The philosophy of the Mystic Learning Center is based on serving the needs of low-income children and families who live in the Mystic Public Housing Development. Our innovative parent and youth service model uses Mystic parents and teens to manage and design all aspects of our program to meet the needs of the community. The mission of the MLC is to improve the lives of low-income children and families living at Mystic. The organization aims to involve residents of all ages in various programs. By being active participants in the MLC residents have the opportunity to enhance their own personal development, have an impact on the development of the program, and make contributions to community life. The MLC brings residents together to make the Mystic neighborhood a healthier community. Through active involvement, tenants are able to support and encourage each other and they are able to acquire skills to overcome persistent poverty and to strengthen community.

Our services therefore attempt to serve the child and family on a number of levels. Through our school age childcare and enrichment components, we provide after school and vacation time activities for some 56 children, grades K-8, ages 5-12. Through youth employment in the enrichment component, we provide job training, income and meaningful employment to Mystic teens, ages 14-21 as Peer Leaders. Through parental involvement on the Board of Directors and in voluntary capacities, we encourage parents to participate in community life, while they in turn receive support and child care. Through involving children, teens and parents in the Center’s activities, it is our overall purpose to improve life in the Mystic community by involving residents of all ages in educational, recreational and social programs. The racial characteristics of the community are as follows: 41% Black, 18% White, 28% Hispanic, 12% Asian, and 1% other. All families are low to moderate income with approximately 43% dependent on public assistance and 84% headed by single females heads-of-households. Mystic is a difficult socio-economic environment in which to raise a family. Low school achievement, drug abuse and domestic violence are serious issues affecting the community. The community and its members have many social service needs.

More specific goals for our school age childcare component are as follows:

• To enhance the educational and social development of children. Children will participate in reading, math, nature studies, crafts, game groups and computers.
• To enhance the psychological and emotional development of children leading to the growth of positive attitudes toward self. Children will participate in self-awareness, values clarification and communication activties.
• To prevent children from moving along the continuum of drug abuse. Children will be involved in drug education/prevention activities.
• To expose children to the community and the world around then and to expand interests and horizons. Children will participate in field trip programs.
• To develop in children and understanding and appreciation of the world’s peoples leading to the growth of positive attitudes towards others. Children will participate in multi-cultural programs.
• To develop in children healthy eating habits and life styles. Children will be provided meals and snacks, and participate in nutrition and cooking projects, as well as physical activities, games and gardening.
• To enhance in children an appreciation of the natural world. Children will participate in ecology and environmental studies, as well as related activities (like gardening nature studies/crafts, hiking, camping and survival skills).
• To expose children to career opportunities. Children will participate in career awareness activities.
• To enhance in children an appreciation of the performing arts. Children will participate in creative drama, music, dance, video and photography experiences.
• To enhance in children community spirit. Children will participate in community service projects.

Program staff, resources and parents are organized in the following way to deliver our school age child care services. The Program Director plays the key role here. She trains, orients and supervises all program staff. She works directly with the Parent Board of Directors and coordinates parental involvement. The Director also networks with other agencies at Mystic and the Somerville community at large to pool resources, support, information and referrals. Together staff, parents and community agencies are organized and brought together through the coordination efforts of the Director. Lines of authority are clear, the staff is accountable to the Director and the Director is accountable to the Parent Board of Directors.

Enrollment is on a first come, first serve basis. Eligibility will be determined as specified by funding sources. Children will be eligible to receive services on the basis of age, residency, income and service need. To enroll a parent must come to the Center with their child to fill out completely all application forms. Upon completing the application a parent will receive notice that the child has been accepted into the program or on program waiting list. Fees will be determined. Our current rate for school age care is $21.60/day (effective 4/1/07). We accept vouchers and private paying consumers. Basic slots and vouchers are subject to a sliding fee scale.

The Mystic Learning Center will not discriminate in providing services to the children and their families on the basis of race, religion, cultural heritage, political beliefs, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation.