IMANI 4 YOUTH

Imani For Youth was created in the summer of 2020 as an extension of Imani Clinic, a UC Davis student-run clinic in Oak Park. Expanding upon Imani’s mission to provide community-based care to a diverse population in which social, economic, and medical issues are intimately intertwined, Imani 4 Youth strives to apply this statement to the development and cultivation of the youth in Oak Park and surrounding areas. Imani, the Swahili word for “faith”, represents the conviction we have in the strength and worthiness of our communities. Our mission is to instill that same sense of faith within the next generation that they can accomplish whatever they set their minds to.

 

Around the time Imani For Youth was established, the COVID-19 pandemic caused an abrupt shutdown of schools across the US, widening the already sizable gap in educational resources and opportunities in countless communities. In order to counteract these adverse circumstances, Imani For Youth connects students with a mentorship program run by UC Davis students, which includes access to free online tutoring services as well as scholarship and financial aid assistance. In addition, we can connect families to resources such as our pediatric clinic, where we provide physicals, flu shots, and other services. In such a difficult time academically, physically, and emotionally, we hope to foster a sense of community and bring more opportunities to the youth of Oak Park and beyond.