About Us

THE MAR VISTA FAMILY CENTER
Mar Vista Family Center was founded in 1977 as a parent participation child care/ preschool adjacent to the Mar Vista Gardens Federal Housing Project to serve an at-risk community populated primarily by low income Latino families. The Center is dedicated to creating community transformation through a comprehensive program addressing the needs of families, schools and youth grounded in shared responsibility and parent participation. It provides an environment where people can take personal responsibility for creating positive change in their lives and communities.

WHAT IS BYFY?
In 1992, 17 community youth lost their lives after a series of gang retaliations in Mar Vista and the neighboring city of Venice. At the time, Mar Vista Family Center had already established a youth group comprised of 15 youth to address the current conditions and needs affecting this population. The youth began to discuss possible solutions to the recent violence affecting their community. Through a series of meetings, it became apparent that a youth leadership program needed to be formalized to outreach to other youth and families. What began as 15 youth has grown into the By Youth For Youth (BYFY) leadership group, which currently involves 65 youth in intensive workshops and one-on-one coaching with Executive Director, Lucia Diaz and Youth Coordinator, Blanca Diaz. BYFY members help to develop and lead several projects throughout the year including:

• By Youth For Youth Leadership Group
• After School Tutorial/College Preparation Project
• Seppy's Summer Day Camp
• Preteen Leadership Groups
• Halloween Haunted House
• National Youth Conference
• BYFY Parent Support
• Sights and Sounds of Dusk Festival