North Pasadena Community Outreach

North Pasadena Community Outreach (NPCO) was an outgrowth of St. Peters Episcopal Church response to the need for school-aged childcare and received the non-profit status in July 1998. The Church had a 25-year history of providing after school programs, even if it was limited to shelter and snacks for children attending the nearby elementary school. The number of children in the program soon outgrew the small classroom. A new intermediate school was built across from the Church and the area's transition to a primarily Spanish speaking and lower income population created new opportunities for community service. Concerned parishioners and city leaders recognized the need for a structured after school program focused on tutoring, life skills and healthy behaviors for youth as well as addressing social services and healthcare issues of the families. Through funding from SLEHC, the organization built a free standing facility which opened in 1999, with a mission of providing age appropriate youth programs, senior citizen programs and a range of health education and services. Throughout the years, NPCO has continually aligned its focus with the changing needs of the community's underserved at-risk population. By 2005, many students, who had called NPCO 'home' throughout elementary school, were now graduating to intermediate school. While Federal funding created new after school programs for elementary schools, programs were limited for Intermediate school youth. Families turned to NPCO for services that embraced older youth. By 2007, due to decreased funding, the NPCO had no adult programs and a limited afterschool program with only 30 youth and the facility was in need of maintenance and repair. In 2007, NPCO entered into collaboration with Communities In Schools to restore and maximize adult and youth services, seek new funding and renovate the center.