activities · 44
what they do
direct service · 42
- Academic Mentoring and Support Academic Mentoring & Tutoring SupportOperates an Academic Mentoring Program that matches students with mentors to set and achieve academic goals, provides tutors for subject matter support, and offers a dedicated space (The Learning Lab) for schoolwork during drop-in hours.
- Academic Mentoring and Support Academic Mentoring & Tutoring SupportProvides an Academic Mentoring Program that matches students with mentors to set and achieve academic goals, offers tutoring for subject matter support, and provides a dedicated space (The Learning Lab) for schoolwork during drop-in hours.
- Academic Mentoring and Tutoring Academic Mentoring & Tutoring SupportProvides an Academic Mentoring Program that matches students with mentors to set and achieve academic goals, offers subject matter tutoring, and provides a dedicated space for schoolwork during drop-in hours.
- Adventure and Outdoor Programs Youth & Family Outdoor Adventure ProgramsOrganizes a 5-day wilderness adventure twice a year, a week-long summer Adventure Camp, biweekly Adventure Club outings across Arizona, and other outdoor activities including multi-day river adventures.
- After-School Drop-in Program After-School Youth Development ProgramsOperates a year-round after-school drop-in program for teens ages 12-18, providing a safe space with access to various activity rooms (Art, Music, Game, Lounge) and continuous supervision during all on-site activities.
- After-School Drop-in Program After-School Youth Development ProgramsOperates a year-round after-school drop-in program for teens ages 12-18, providing a safe space with access to various activity rooms (Art, Music, Game, Lounge) and continuous supervision.
- Cafe Operations Cafe-Based Youth & Community TrainingOperates a cafe with scheduled daily hours, which also serves as a training ground for teen apprentices.
- Circle Based Mentoring Youth Mentoring ProgramsOperates Circle Based Mentoring groups for boys, girls, coed groups, and juvenile justice programs, both in local schools and at The Launch Pad, providing a safe space for sharing and developing communication skills.
- Circle Based Mentoring Groups Youth Mentoring ProgramsOperates Circle Based Mentoring groups for boys, girls, coed groups, and juvenile justice programs, both in local schools and at The Launch Pad, providing a safe space for sharing and developing communication skills.
- Circle-Based Mentoring Youth Mentoring ProgramsOperates Circle Based Mentoring groups for boys, girls, coed groups, and juvenile justice programs, both in local schools and at The Launch Pad, providing a safe space for sharing and developing communication skills.
- Community Events and Clubs Youth Interest-Based Club ProgramsOrganizes age-specific programs including dances and music shows for middle and high school students, hosts a variety of events for teens and the community, and offers ongoing weekly clubs for teens in specific interest areas like Dungeons & Dragons, music, creative writing, art, and adventure.
- Community Events and Outreach Youth Leadership CampsHosts a variety of events for teens and the community, including music shows, open mic nights, and annual fundraisers, and conducts outreach at community events to raise awareness about youth programs.
- Community Outreach and EngagementConducts outreach at community events to raise awareness about youth programs and connects teens with business expertise through workshops, internships, or career mentoring.
- Food and Meal Provision School-Based Meal ProgramsProvides free daily meals during drop-in hours, offers sack lunch pick-up for the following school day, and provides free school lunches to teens in need through its All Access Pass program.
- Free Meals and Food Support School-Based Meal ProgramsProvides free daily meals during drop-in hours and offers free school lunches to teens in need through its All Access Pass program, including sack lunch pick-up for the following school day.
- Free Meals and Food Support School-Based Meal ProgramsProvides free daily meals during drop-in hours, offers sack lunch pick-up for the following school day, and provides free school lunches to teens in need through its All Access Pass program.
- Internship PlacementsFacilitates internship placements with local organizations for teens who have completed initial program levels, connecting them with business expertise and career mentoring.
- Internship and Employment PlacementFacilitates internship placements with local organizations for teens who have completed initial program levels and manages Project Launch to connect teens with apprenticeship, internship, and employment opportunities.
- LGBTQ+ Specific Programming Youth Mental Health Education & Peer SupportProvides weekly LGBTQ-specific programming that includes social and service programs to promote self-expression, self-acceptance, leadership development, and healthy life choices.
- LGBTQ-Specific Programming Youth Mental Health Education & Peer SupportProvides weekly LGBTQ-specific programming that includes social and service programs to promote self-expression, self-acceptance, leadership development, and healthy life choices.
- Mental Health Support Multisensory Emotional Regulation RoomsOperates a dedicated mental health room, referred to as the 'Bliss Bubble', for teens.
- Mental Health Support Space Multisensory Emotional Regulation RoomsOperates a dedicated mental health room, referred to as the 'Bliss Bubble', for teens.
- Operating a Teen Drop-in Center After-School Youth Development ProgramsOperates a 5,400 square foot drop-in center in Prescott for teens aged 12-18 with scheduled weekly after-school hours, providing a safe space with various activity rooms and continuous supervision.
- Outdoor Adventure Programs Youth & Family Outdoor Adventure ProgramsProvides a 5-day wilderness adventure twice a year, a week-long summer Adventure Camp, biweekly Adventure Club outings across Arizona, and organizes outdoor activities including trips to Granite Creek Park and multi-day river adventures.
- Outdoor Adventure Programs Youth & Family Outdoor Adventure ProgramsProvides a 5-day wilderness adventure twice a year, a week-long summer Adventure Camp, biweekly Adventure Club outings across Arizona, and organizes other outdoor activities including trips to Granite Creek Park and multi-day river adventures.
- Specialized Camps and Workshops Youth & Family Outdoor Adventure ProgramsHosts various specialized camps including a Band Lab Camp for music creation and performance, a Games for Days Camp focused on tabletop roleplay and game design, and an Art Camp with local artists covering diverse mediums.
- Specialized Summer Camps Youth & Family Outdoor Adventure ProgramsHosts adventure-filled summer camps for teens, including a Band Lab Camp for music creation and performance, a Games for Days Camp focused on tabletop roleplay and game design, and an Art Camp with local artists offering workshops in various mediums.
- Specialized Summer Camps Youth & Family Outdoor Adventure ProgramsHosts adventure-filled summer camps for teens, including a Band Lab Camp for music creation and performance, a Games for Days Camp focused on tabletop roleplay and game design, and an Art Camp with local artists covering various mediums.
- Teen Advisory Council and Community Impact Projects Youth Civic Leadership TrainingOversees a Teen Advisory Council and their Better Together Project, which focuses on community impact and civil discourse.
- Teen Cafe Operations Cafe-Based Youth & Community TrainingOperates a cafe with scheduled daily hours, providing a space for teens and supporting workforce development through its operations.
- Teen Interest Clubs Youth Interest-Based Club ProgramsOffers ongoing weekly clubs for teens in specific interest areas, including Dungeons & Dragons, music, creative writing, art, and adventure.
- Teen Leadership and Advisory Programs Youth Civic Leadership TrainingLeads a mentorship program for teens, oversees a Teen Advisory Council, and supports their Better Together Project which focuses on community impact and civil discourse.
- Teen Mentorship Program Youth Mentoring ProgramsLeads a mentorship program for teens, which includes recruiting and coordinating volunteers.
- Teen Transportation Services School Transportation ServicesAcquired a new shuttle vehicle for teen transportation services.
- Teen Transportation Services School Transportation ServicesAcquired and operates a shuttle vehicle to provide transportation services for teens.
- Teen Transportation Services School Transportation ServicesAcquired and operates a new shuttle vehicle for teen transportation services.
- Teen Workforce Development and Apprenticeships Culinary Training and Food Entrepreneurship ProgramsOffers paid café apprenticeships to teens who complete prerequisite training levels, provides intermediate training in café operations, customer service, and teamwork through the Brew to Crew Club program, and delivers introductory workshops on foundational workplace skills.
- Teen-Focused Events and Clubs Youth Interest-Based Club ProgramsOrganizes age-specific programs including dances and music shows for middle and high school students, hosts a variety of events for teens and the community, and offers ongoing weekly clubs in specific interest areas like Dungeons & Dragons, music, creative writing, art, and adventure.
- Workforce Development and Apprenticeships Culinary Training and Food Entrepreneurship ProgramsOffers paid café apprenticeships to teens who complete prerequisite training levels, provides intermediate training in café operations, customer service, and teamwork through the Brew to Crew Club program, and delivers introductory workshops on foundational workplace skills.
- Workforce Development and Internships Culinary Training and Food Entrepreneurship ProgramsOffers introductory workshops on foundational workplace skills, provides intermediate training in café operations through the Brew to Crew Club, offers paid café apprenticeships, and facilitates internship placements with local organizations.
- Youth Voice and Agency Promotion Youth Civic Leadership TrainingCenters youth voice and agency in all levels of programming and decision making within the organization.
- Youth Voice and Leadership Development Youth Civic Leadership TrainingCenters youth voice and agency in all levels of programming and decision making, and oversees a Teen Advisory Council and their Better Together Project, which focuses on community impact and civil discourse.
capacity building · 2
- Staff and Volunteer Development Youth Strengths Identification & DevelopmentUses the Kolbe A Index to enhance teamwork and personal growth among staff and volunteers, and assists young people in learning about their strengths through the Student Aptitude Quiz.
- Youth Strengths Assessment Youth Strengths Identification & DevelopmentAssists young people in learning about their strengths through the Student Aptitude Quiz.
strategies · 13
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Accessible Programming through Financial Aid and Choice program_access_passThe organization ensures program accessibility by offering an "All Access Pass" that allows teen participants to choose from a variety of activities and events upfront, reducing associated fees, and by providing scholarship and financial aid options for families experiencing financial hardship.
- Accessible and Inclusive Program Access program_access_passThe organization ensures program accessibility by offering an "All Access Pass" to reduce fees and providing scholarship and financial aid options for families experiencing financial hardship or qualifying as low to moderate income.
- Accessible and Inclusive Programming program_access_passThe organization ensures program accessibility by maintaining an open environment, offering an "All Access Pass" to reduce fees, and providing scholarship and financial aid options for families experiencing hardship.
- Accountability-Based and Collaborative Academic Support accountability-based mentoringThe organization provides individualized academic support through weekly meetings with academic mentors to hold teens accountable for their progress and employs a collaborative approach by partnering with students, parents, and teachers to support academic goals, including those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
- Accountability-Based and Collaborative Academic Support accountability-based mentoringThe organization provides individualized academic support through weekly meetings with academic mentors to hold teens accountable for their academic progress and employs a collaborative approach by partnering with students, parents, and teachers to support academic goals, including those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
- Circle-Based Mentoring circle_based_mentoringA circle-based mentoring model is utilized, emphasizing curiosity, active listening, acceptance, and emotional support, where mentors serve as non-advisory, supportive adults.
- Community Input-Driven Program Development community_input_driven_planningPrograms are developed based on community input gathered through various methods such as meetings, surveys, and interviews with parents, teens, and other community members, ensuring relevance and responsiveness to local needs.
- Holistic Positive Youth Development positive_youth_developmentThe organization emphasizes positive youth development through strong staff-to-student relationships, integrity, and accountability, providing safe spaces and opportunities to learn life skills to foster involved, successful, confident, and empowered young adults. This includes cultivating environments where students feel valued, heard, and empowered to explore their strengths, integrating mindfulness and collaborative problem-solving to nurture academic, emotional, and social well-being.
- Individualized and Collaborative Academic Support individualized_academic_and_life_skill_developmentThe organization provides one-on-one academic support to supplement classroom learning, aiming to improve grades, boost confidence, and develop life skills. This includes weekly meetings with academic mentors for accountability and a collaborative approach by partnering with students, parents, and teachers to support academic goals, including those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
- Progressive Skill Development for Workforce Readiness progressive_skill_developmentA tiered, progressive model is used to develop teen workforce readiness through sequential skill-building levels, integrating workforce training into real-world operations like a café to provide hands-on small business and leadership experience.
- Progressive Workforce Readiness and Work-Based Learning progressive_skill_developmentA tiered, progressive model is used to develop teen workforce readiness through sequential skill-building levels, integrating workforce training into real-world operations like a café to provide hands-on small business and leadership experience.
- Teen Leadership Development teen_leadership_developmentThe organization fosters teen leadership through participatory programs and real-world opportunities, positioning adults as active supporters who help youth succeed in leadership and facilitation roles.
- Youth-Driven Space and Programming youth_driven_spaceThe organization centers youth voice and agency in program design and organizational operation, providing a space where teens can discover identity, purpose, and personal growth, and are seen as experts of their own experiences. This approach is informed by models like the Youth Driven Space (YDS) developed by The Neutral Zone and The Weikart Center.
named programs · 9
what they call their work
Academic Mentoring Program
Matches students with mentors to set and achieve academic goals, provides tutoring support, and helps teens develop skills for school and life success. Can work with IEPs.
Better Together Project
A project led by the Teen Advisory Council focusing on community impact and civil discourse.
Daily Clubs, Workshops, Adventure Trips, Summer Camps
A variety of engaging activities and experiences for teens, including outdoor adventures.
Mental Health Support
Provides a safe space ("Bliss Bubble") and support for teens' mental health, with a dedicated Mental Health Coordinator.
Mentorship Program
Recruits and coordinates volunteers to inspire and be inspired by teens.
Project Launch
Connects teens with apprenticeship, internship, and employment opportunities in partnership with local businesses.
Teen Advisory Council (TAC)
A group of motivated teens making a difference in the community, involved in projects like the Better Together Program.
The Learning Lab
A dedicated space at The Launch Pad for teens to focus on schoolwork, available during drop-in hours and for Academic Mentoring Program participants.
The Moon Cafe
A program that guides and mentors youth through structured and collaborative initiatives, supporting leadership, creativity, and belonging within workforce development.
relationships · 26
who they work with
- AmeriCorps VISTA Partner — An employee started their journey at The Launch Pad as an AmeriCorps VISTA.
- Ameriprise Financial Partner — A board member is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial.
- Board & Brush Partner — Art Camp participants visit for a custom wood sign project.
- Boys to Men Partner — Adapts mentoring principles from Boys to Men for use in The Launch Pad's Circle Based Mentoring program.
- Boys to Men Mentoring of North Central AZ Partner — A board member has served on the Board of Directors for Boys to Men Mentoring of North Central AZ.
- Center for the Future of Arizona Partner — Offers virtual internships with partner businesses, often including a stipend.
- City of Prescott Partner — Hosts teen interns in the HR Department for job shadowing and learning about hiring processes.
- Deppeana, LLC Partner — Provides internship opportunities in marketing, event planning, research, and customer service across multiple local businesses.
- Foothills Bank Partner — A board member is a commercial banker with Foothills Bank.
- Highlands Center for Natural History Partner — Provides summer internships focused on field-based experiential learning, leadership, and public speaking.
- Kolbe Partner — Uses Kolbe A Index and Student Aptitude Quiz to enhance teamwork and personal growth among staff, volunteers, and young people.
- Michigan State University’s Community Evaluation and Research Collaborative Partner — Conducted evaluation of the Youth Driven Space intervention showing impacts on youth, staff, and organizations.
- One-n-Ten Partner — Collaborates with One-n-Ten as part of program offerings.
- One-n-Ten Partner — Collaborates with One-n-Ten, as indicated by dedicated webpage and programming alignment with LGBTQ+ youth support.
- One-n-Ten Partner — Listed as a program area or partner on the website.
- Prescott Chamber of Commerce Partner — Provides internship opportunities in marketing, event planning, customer service, and media projects.
- Prescott Sunrise Lions Club Partner — A board member has served on the Board of Directors for Prescott Sunrise Lions Club.
- Prescott Unified School District Partner — An employee previously worked as a Disability Advocate within the Prescott Unified School District.
- The Neutral Zone Teen Center Partner — Adapts the Youth Driven Space model developed by The Neutral Zone Teen Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- The Tess Majors Foundation Partner — Provided a generous contribution enabling The Launch Pad Teen Center to acquire a new shuttle.
- The Weikart Center Partner — Partnership with The Weikart Center through the development of the Youth Driven Space project.
- United Way of Yavapai County Partner — A board member has served on the Board of Directors for United Way of Yavapai County.
- Yavapai County Health Department Partner — An employee previously worked as a Health Educator for the Yavapai County Health Department.
- Yavapai Trails Association Partner — Offers field and office internships including marketing, event planning, and outdoor projects for teens age 16+.
- one•n•ten Partner — Partners to provide meaningful LGBTQ-specific programming every week.
- prescottareataxcredit.com Government — Partner website providing information about the AZ Charitable Tax Credit for which The Launch Pad is qualified.