Mountain Area Youth Organization (MAYO)
Mountain Area Youth Organization is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing a safe space for the youth of the mountain communities to come together for fun enrichment programs that further the growth of each individual.
Many people know MY Club as an afterschool program, but the reality is that MY Club has become one of the largest providers of youth opportunities in the mountain area. Through the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), MY Club serves TK-8th grade students at Oakhurst Elementary, Oak Creek Intermediate, Wasuma Elementary, Coarsegold Elementary, and Rivergold Elementary. These funds help provide the foundation of our programs, including staffing, homework assistance, physical fitness activities, and arts and crafts. However, ELO-P funding only covers the basics. What makes MY Club special are the opportunities that go beyond those requirements.
Through community support and fundraising, MY Club provides STEM education, robotics, coding and programming, music instruction, leadership development, and enrichment experiences that many youth would not otherwise have access to. This year alone, members have learned to play trumpets, ukuleles, drums, recorders, and other instruments while developing confidence, creativity, and new skills. MY Club’s commitment to youth extends far beyond the school day.
MY Club has stepped forward to preserve youth programs that were at risk of disappearing. Today, MY Club oversees Little League Baseball, Girls Softball, Cheerleading, and Tackle Football. In addition, MY Club has created and sustained youth basketball leagues, volleyball leagues, flag football programs, soccer camps, lacrosse opportunities, and many other recreational experiences that serve hundreds of youth annually.
The MY Club Teen Center is another example of what community support makes possible. Funded entirely through local support, the Teen Center provides high school students with a safe place to gather after school and during school breaks. Students have access to tutoring, career exploration, leadership opportunities, a fitness center, musical instruments, volleyball and basketball courts, and positive adult mentors who help prepare them for the future.
Looking ahead, MY Club is developing a portion of Ahwahnee Hills to create outdoor recreation opportunities for youth and families, including mountain bike trails and community spaces designed to encourage healthy lifestyles and outdoor exploration. The truth is that no single grant, contract, or funding source covers all of these opportunities. The programs that shape our youth, strengthen our community, and create lifelong memories exist because people choose to invest in the next generation.