Our Programs
Program Overview
Youth Venture operates four after-school teen centers that offer a safe space for students between 5th and 12th grade. The teen centers are the primary setting where kids can connect, establish, and build significant relationships with their peers and adults as well as enjoy admission-free and drug-free activities and attractions like a skate park, video games, pool tables, ping pong, and Youth Venture-related events and outings.
Additionally, the teen centers offer a setting for teens to learn basic biblical principles for sound character, particularly through one-on-one mentorships and a junior leadership program. Through these relational activities, Youth Venture seeks to develop peer groups for teens that are moral, goal-oriented, and conducive to a successful future.
Locations
El Cajon North:
277 Broadway, El Cajon, CA 92021
Monday – Friday, 3pm – 8pm
Saturday – Sunday, 12pm – 6pm
El Cajon South:
1080 Estes St., El Cajon, CA 92020
Monday – Friday, 3pm – 8pm
Saturday – Sunday, 12pm – 6pm
Lakeside:
12169 Woodside Ave., Lakeside, CA 92040
Monday – Friday, 3pm – 8pm
Saturday – Sunday, 12pm – 6pm
Santee:
10251 Mast Blvd., Santee, CA 92071
Monday – Friday, 2pm – 7pm
Saturday, 12pm – 6pm
Sunday, 1pm – 5pm
Mentorships
Our biblically-based mentoring program is the heart of Youth Venture, and it’s through these one-on-one connections that we see true transformation take place. The mentoring program takes students through three levels of curriculum each geared towards a particular step in their personal growth and development. Students start off with three lessons in the Junior Varsity curriculum, preparing them for a relationship with God the Father. As students move forward into the Varsity curriculum, their understanding deepens and their commitment to growth gets stronger. Our Advanced curriculum is for students who wish to really develop the character needed to make a lasting change in their lives. Click below to see examples of our curriculum.
YV Girls Ministry
The Youth Venture Girls Ministry was developed to empower female students and adults of Youth Venture to walk out in their God-given design through nourishing relationships. By creating a space for young girls to fellowship with one another, we hope to see them thrive in their personal development and ultimately get more involved at church. Another goal for the YV Girls Ministry is to give the adult women leaders an opportunity to build deeper, meaningful relationships with the girls of YV and to take ownership of their role as leaders and mentors, not just as volunteers.
Some of the girls-specific events and activities we have each year are:
Beauty Day
Girls’ Leadership Retreat
Day Trips
Annual Conference
All-female Staff Training
Youth Venture East Africa
YV East Africa is a continuation of the founding principles of Youth Venture throughout the rural and urban communities of Kenya and Uganda. What started with an assistant chief in Kenya conducting in-school Bible clubs using the Youth Venture curriculum has now grown and developed into a program that serves thousands of students throughout the region.
Additionally, through the guiding principles of Scripture, YV East Africa has contributed to an increase in students’ national exam scores and their transition into higher levels of education as well as an average decrease in student dropout rates throughout schools in which Youth Venture is operating.
Our impact in East Africa includes:
500 Bible Clubs
50,000 Students Reached
51% Decrease in Student Dropouts
11% Increase in National Exam Scores
For a more detailed report of our impact in East Africa, click here.