Our Mission

Our mission is to establish and sustain neighborhood based learning centers in Azusa wherein at-risk children and their families are equipped to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually. In Mark 9:37 we read, "Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name, welcomes me." With this verse in mind, we have claimed a vision of bringing hope and encouragement to the children of Azusa, beginning with the Ninth Street neighborhood. We strive to provide a welcoming place for the children to study and receive tutoring, to build lasting friendships with them, and to offer them a variety of enrichment activities. Our desire is to strengthen the academic skills of the children and to increase their motivation to excel in school.

Our Goals

• Provide a safe, friendly environment for grade school children during the after school hours to help them develop strong study skills and to receive assistance in weak areas in order to enhance their academic performance.
• Provide opportunities for the children to develop friendships with college students who serve as positive role models academically, socially, and spiritually.
• Increase the children's opportunities to make positive choices for their lives (not gangs and drugs), strong academic progress (through tutoring), and to experience Christ's unconditional love for them (through those who serve at the Homework House).
• Encourage the neighborhood families by helping their children and by showing them that Christ loves them here and now, not just someday in Heaven.
• Foster Christian unity between the Catholics and Protestants of Azusa by demonstrating that Jesus is Lord of both and by encouraging the participation of area churches in the Homework House and related activities.
• Provide opportunities for residents and local college students to serve the Lord in their own community in a ministry that will benefit Azusa children and families.
• Foster an interaction between cultures in the community, which will lead to an increased love and appreciation for one another.
  

The Neighborhood Homework House enhances the lives of area residents by providing a comfortable learning environment where the children eagerly come to receive necessary assistance in completing homework assignments and to engage in related enrichment activities.

Our Values

As Christians portraying Christ to these children, our values remain top priority. We believe that above all else our service to the community should represent:

• The love of Jesus Christ for each child who enters the Homework House.
• An environment where children will consistently experience love and encouragement, as they receive the help they need to succeed academically and to make positive choices for their lives.
• A place where children will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of enrichment activities such as drama, music, arts and crafts.