When Valarie Matthews founded Catherine's Family and Youth Services, she wanted to make sure her late grandmother's name meant something in the community she loved.
Catherine was a fierce advocate for homeless and battered women who spent her life helping women and children in need. Matthews says some of those women even stayed at their family home while she was growing up. Naming the organization after her grandmother was a way of carrying that legacy forward.
"Being able to build hope and trust within my community, I know my family is doing what Catherine would have wanted us to do," Matthews said.
Catherine's Family and Youth Services, known as CFYS, just celebrated its 11th anniversary. Located at Park Heights Academy in the neighborhood where Matthews grew up, the organization offers free after school and summer programs for children ages 5 to 13 and can serve up to 75 students at a time.
The after school program covers financial literacy, math, handwriting and reading, with mentors coming in regularly to work with students. Children are fed snacks and dinner and can even take home groceries if needed. CFYS also serves as a YouthWorks site.
The six-week summer camp includes tutoring, enrichment activities, photography, karate and field trips — all made possible through grant funding and donations.
Beyond youth programming, CFYS operates a free food pantry and diaper hub stocked with car seats, pack and plays, baby wipes, clothing and other baby essentials for families in need.
Matthews says the organization faces three main challenges — funding, space, and volunteers. With the number of youth they serve daily, the current space is not their own and they need a permanent home to comfortably support everything they do.
Matthews says she wants people to remember CFYS for its love, hope and kindness.
if you'd like to donate or volunteer, you can visit https://www.catherinesfamilyandyouthservices.org/ .
