Mountain View – Los Altos – Los Altos Hills  Challenge Team 

 [for a pdf copy of this page click here] 

 

History:   

The MVLA Challenge Team began in 1987 as a response to the “challenge” presented to California’s communities by the California State Attorney General’s office.  After attending a conference sponsored by the Attorney General, our local team was inspired to support and create programs to help our youth make positive decisions and live healthy lives.  Now, as then, our youth faces changes including violence, diversity and substance abuse.

Mission: 

The MVLA Challenge Team builds meaningful community partnerships to support the success of children, youth and families in the cities of Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. The Challenge Team brings together leaders from school districts, city and county services, parent and student groups, and other non-profit organizations to serve youth and strengthen our community.    

Partnership Programs to Build A Stronger Community:

The Challenge Team provides sparks for partnerships among schools, cities, county agencies and non-profit organizations to provide support services for youth. We believe that working together we can make a difference for our youth of today and for the health and productivity of our community’s future.  

Team members collaborate to serve youth at risk, gang prevention and other projects involving elementary, middle and high school aged youth from our local public and private schools in the cities of Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.   Relationships fostered at Challenge Team meetings have led to many community- and youth-centered programs.  Here are a few.

·         Challenge Team members support summer sports camps, school-break activities, teacher education, parent organizations and community service activities that promote positive behavioral outcomes for youth.

·         Partner organizations such as the YMCA, Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC), Partners for New Generations and Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) provide mentors, counseling and physical education for students.

·         Gang awareness parent education symposiums help parents prevent their students from falling into a gang lifestyle.

·         The Police Activity League organizes trips, sporting and training events foster healthy relationships with schools, students and law enforcement personnel.

·         The Challenge Team helps to secure volunteer and some financial support for Cops that Care (Christmas toy give away) and Cops and Gobblers (Thanksgiving food baskets).

·         Summer nutrition programs have provided breakfast and lunch to local families who otherwise would have gone underfed. Our cross-promotion ensures that families know about the program.

·         The Challenge Team has supported family bike rides to raise awareness for public education funding, and advocated that agencies sign on to the Bill of Rights for Children and Youth and become involved with Children Now.

Youth Recognition – Champion for Youth Breakfast

A youth and an adult are recognized by Challenge Team at an annual breakfast that honors youth and adults who are named Champions for Youth for that year. 

Recognition for the Challenge Team’s Impact on the Community

The MVLA Challenge Team is recognized as an effective partnership across Silicon Valley and has been a model for other City based community organizations.   Our Challenge Team awards include:

·         John Gardner Center for Youth award

·         The Santa Clara County Humanitarian Award April 2010.   

·         The Project Cornerstone Asset Champions’ SPARK award March 2013.

Participating Challenge Team Organizations:  

·         Leaders from Foothill College, Mountain View-Whisman School District, Los Altos School District, Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, St. Francis High School

o   School superintendents

o   School Board members

o   School administrators, public and private

o   PTA representatives

·         City of Mountain View and City of Los Altos leaders

o   Police officers / probation officers

o   Youth Resources, Parks and Recreation

o   Library management

·         Superior Court judges / District attorneys

·         Public health agencies

·         Community youth organizations

·         Social service organizations

·         Faith-based organizations

·         Counseling agencies

·         Rotary / Kiwanis and other service clubs

 

For More Information:

·         Visit the Challenge Team website at Challengeteam.org

·         Challenge Team Chairperson:   Gay Krause     Telephone (650) 949-7113    

Email:   krausegay@fhda.edu

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