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MARY MITCHELL FAMILY AND YOUTH CENTER INC

BRONX, NY · EIN 133385032 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Medium ($1M-$10M) · themarymitchellfyc.org
revenue
$1.8M
expenses
$1.7M
net assets
$804K
employees
15
volunteers
50
program ratio
87%
mission · from form 990

The Mission of the organization is to improve the lives of families and youth in the Crotona section of the Bronx through programs that expand opportunities, develop leadership and build community.

profile · synthesized from sources

Community-based organization in the Crotona section of the Bronx that serves low-income families and youth through programs focused on youth development, food justice, urban gardening, and leadership training. Offers after-school and summer enrichment, nutrition education, and community gardening initiatives. Operates a food-buying club and farmers market to increase access to healthy food.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $225K
    MOTHERS ON THE MOVE ACTS AS A VEHICLE FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE OF COLOR TO TAKE STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN CAMPAIGNS TO TRANSFORM OURSELVES AND OUR COMMUNITITES. MOM ENVISIONS A SOCIETY WHERE RESOURCES AND BENEFITS ARE EQUALLY SHARED, AND WHERE PEOPLE PLAY A ROLE IN COMMUNITY DECISION-MAKING IN PROPORTION TO THE DEGREE THEY ARE AFFECTED.
  2. #2 $120K
    THE BLK PROJECT SEEKS TO ADDRESS FOOD JUSTICE, PUBLIC & MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AS THEY SPECIFICALLY RELATE TO UNDER SERVED WOMEN OF COLOR THROUGH CULTURALLY RELEVANT EDUCATION, BEAUTIFICATION OF PUBLIC SPACES, URBAN GARDENING AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING. BY CREATING EASILY ACCESSIBLE RESOURCES AND ENRICHING THE LIVES OF WOMEN WHO ARE ROUTINELY OVERLOOKED AND OVERBURDENED YET SERVE AN IMPORTANT AND CRITICAL ROLE IN THE LARGER FABRIC OF SOCIETY. THE PROGRAM WILL STRENGTHEN OVERALL MENTAL AND PUBLIC HEAHT, AS WELL ELEVATE THE COLLECTIVE SELF ESTEEM OF THE LARGER COMMUNITIES THEY LIVE IN.
named programs · 8 · from sources

What they call their work

After School Enrichment Program
Provides homework help, tutoring, art, physical fitness, sports, and nutritious meals for children ages 5–12
Food Justice Club
Youth-led program promoting food justice through hydroponic farming, gardening, farmers market operations, and healthy eating initiatives
Heidi's Healthy Canasta
Food-buying club that delivers fresh produce, grains, and protein to Bronx residents at affordable prices, with sliding scale and EBT/SNAP accepted
La Familia Verde
Coalition of community gardens and a farmers market in the Crotona, East Tremont, and West Farms neighborhoods; focuses on environmental justice and community development
Mothers on the Move
Leadership development program for low-income women of color to engage in community decision-making and transformation campaigns
Nutrition and Fitness Program
Youth-led initiative addressing diabetes and obesity through healthy eating policies, fitness activities, health fairs, and community education
Summer Camp Enrichment Program
Summer program offering art, sports, gardening, trips, and meals for children ages 5–12
The BLK Project
Addresses food justice, public and mental health for underserved women of color through culturally relevant education, urban gardening, and community programming
activities · 13 groups

What they do

  • Community-Based Urban Agriculture 2 activities
    • Food Justice Club
      Operates the Food Justice Club, expanding it from five to ten teen members, providing hands-on experience in hydroponic farming, gardening, farmers market operations, and healthy eating initiatives. Organizes educational trips to urban farms and schools where youth teach peers about growing and harvesting fruits and vegetables.
    • La Familia Verde Program
      Operates La Familia Verde as a community development program focused on horticulture and education, continuing its mission through gardening and related activities.
  • After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • After-School Enrichment Program
      Operates an after-school enrichment program for children ages 5–12 from September to June, providing daily homework help, tutoring, reading support, art, physical fitness, sports activities, and a hot meal and snack. The program includes one-on-one tutoring at least three days per week for eligible children and daily homework assistance for all participants.
  • Agricultural Training and Education Programs 1 activity
    • BLK Project
      Implements the BLK Project to address food justice, public health, and mental health for underserved women of color through culturally relevant education, urban gardening, beautification of public spaces, and community programming.
  • Youth and Family Cooking Education 1 activity
    • Community Outreach and Education
      Conducts year-round community outreach at the family center, delivering cooking demonstrations, educational games, and lectures to teach children how to make healthier lifestyle choices. Organized a health fair and an annual Walk for Health led by youth participants.
  • Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
    • Community Wednesdays
      Hosts Community Wednesdays events involving the distribution of meals, clothing, and fresh fruits and vegetables to community members.
  • ESL and Citizenship Instruction 1 activity
    • English Language Classes
      Offers English language classes to the community on Mondays through Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m., with plans to resume in September 2026.
  • Local Food Market Operation 1 activity
    • Farmers Market Operations
      Operates multiple farmers markets during the summer and fall, including the La Familia Verde Farmers Market, Highbridge Community Farmers Market, and Southern Boulevard Farmers Market, selling fresh-grown produce to increase access to organic fruits and vegetables. Accepts SNAP/EBT, cash, debit/credit, FMNP coupons, Health Bucks, and Fresh Connect Coupons.
  • Political Leadership Training for Underrepresented Groups 1 activity
    • Mothers on the Move Program
      Operates the Mothers on the Move program to support low-income people of color in taking strategic leadership roles in community transformation and decision-making.
  • Youth Development and Support Services 1 activity
    • Operation of Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center
      Helped establish and has operated the Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center since 1998 (opened in 1997) to support youth engagement and reduce drug involvement through comprehensive programming.
  • Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
    • STEM Education in After-School Program
      Created STEM lessons for children in the After-School Program and supported various center projects to enhance science, technology, engineering, and math learning.
  • Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
    • Summer Camp Enrichment Program
      Runs a summer camp enrichment program for children ages 5–12 from June to August, offering daily activities including art, physical fitness, sports, gardening, water-based fun days, and trips to local attractions. Children receive a nutritious hot breakfast, lunch, and a snack each day.
  • Child & Youth Meal Programs 1 activity
    • Summer Free Lunch Program
      Played a key role in establishing a summer free lunch program that provided meals to families in need across multiple neighborhoods.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Community Produce Distribution
      Distributes weekly or bi-weekly bags of fresh produce, grains, and beans containing 8–10 items sourced from Hunts Point Market to Bronx residents. Also operates a food-buying club that delivers fresh produce when at least five participants commit per site. Accepts EBT/SNAP, credit/debit, PayPal, and cash, with a $15 flat rate for EBT/SNAP users.
    • Facility and Community Development
      Secured a $3 million grant from Mayor Koch to build a ballpark and sustain a sports program; constructed two additional parks using grants; purchased buildings; and developed affordable housing in the community.
    • Summer Play Street Program
      Co-founded the Summer Play Street program with the Police Athletic League, launching the first site on Mapes Avenue in the Bronx.
    • Youth Job and Recreation Programs
      Helped establish summer youth job programs in East Tremont and Crotona areas, enabling children as young as 13 to work as recreation aides.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.85M
Contributions & grants$1.59M86%
Program service revenue$258K14%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.73M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$750K
Grants paid out$13K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.19M
Cash$541K
Investments$0
Liabilities$389K
Net assets$804K
Liquid reserves3.8 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +19.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Aleyna Rodriguez Executive Dir. 40 $101K
board members · 5
  • ANA JACOBO — President
  • CAROL ATKINS — Secretary
  • KAREN WASHINGTON — Treasurer
  • LILLIAM PEREZ — Member
  • RHEA FARRELL — MEMBER
relationships · 27

Who they work with

  • Albert Einstein College of Medicine Partner — Local community partner of Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center.
  • Bronx Community Land Trust Partner — Owns the Mapes Avenue Garden, ensuring long-term community control and access
  • CIR Partner — Partnered on the Family Health Challenge, an eight-week wellness program.
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension Partner — Provided staff training related to health and nutrition programs.
  • Fordham University Partner — Local community partner of Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center.
  • Fordham University Partner — Partnered through its Jesuits Scholastic program to place Jesuits at the Center for community and youth programming.
  • Hunter College Health Equity Project Partner — Provided training for youth in the Health to Know Committee (H2K).
  • Hunts Point Market Partner — Source for fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans distributed through the Heidi's Healthy Canasta program.
  • Just Food Partner — Supported the Farmers Market and provided a VISTA intern.
  • La Familia Verde Partner — Coalition of community gardens now operated as a program of Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center
  • La Familia Verde Partner — Managed the Farmers Market hosted by the Center.
  • La Familia Verde Farmers Market Partner — Collaborates with the Food Justice Club during the summer to sell fresh-grown produce and increase access to organic fruits and vegetables.
  • Lehman College Partner — Local community partner of Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center.
  • Mary Mitchell Partner — Namesake and inspirational figure whose vision led to the founding of the Center after her death in 1983.
  • Mayor Koch Government — Provided a $3 million grant to support park and sports program development in the Bronx.
  • Montefiore Hospital Partner — Provided information about making healthy choices.
  • NY Botanical Garden Partner — Supplied materials and curriculum for gardening activities.
  • NYC Department of Health Government — Provided health statistics and training for children and staff.
  • NYC Land Trust Partner — Provided garden space for youth and community gardening programs.
  • New York Botanical Garden Partner — Collaborates through its Bronx Green-Up program on outreach, composting education, and sustainable agriculture workshops
  • Operation GreenThumb Partner — Partnered to develop the Garden of Happiness through support in cleaning, gardening supplies, and land transformation
  • Pius XII Partner — Partnered through the Partnership in After School Education Mentoring Program.
  • Police Athletic League Partner — Co-established the Summer Play Street program with the Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center's founder.
  • St. Barnabas Hospital Partner — Provided information about making healthy choices.
  • The Health Alliance Partner — Provided staff for a community meeting on health.
  • Trust for Public Land Partner — Engages in outreach through its Neighborhood Open-Space Management program with the Garden of Happiness
  • themarymitchellfyc.org Partner — Digital platform used for sharing program information and community updates.
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community-Led Transformation
    methodology: community_led_leadership_development
    By empowering low-income people of color and committed community members to lead change efforts, the organization produces more equitable and sustainable community outcomes because those most impacted by systemic inequities are best positioned to design effective solutions.
  • Food Justice as Integrated Access and Education
    methodology: integrated_food_access_and_education
    By combining affordable access to fresh produce through group purchasing and year-round sourcing with culturally relevant, interactive nutrition education, the organization promotes long-term health behavior change because access without education is insufficient for sustained impact.
  • Holistic Family-Centered Development
    methodology: family_centered_community_development
    By integrating academic support, nutrition, physical activity, life skills, and civic engagement within family- and youth programming, the organization fosters resilience and reduces community violence because stable, supported families form the foundation of safer communities.
  • Youth-Led Community Health Engagement
    methodology: youth_led_community_health_intervention
    By engaging youth as leaders in identifying health issues and designing family-focused interventions, the organization increases community buy-in and behavior change because peer-to-peer and intergenerational influence strengthens program relevance and adoption.