Founder/Executive Director, Terryl E. De Mendonca
It has been such a pleasure for me to be a part of such a unique and inspiring organization. MYDC emphasizes on programming that is geared to individual, group and family interaction. We are not just an afterschool program where students come for homework assistance. MYDC’s programs are much more personal. We get involved and become a part of the lives of our youth. It is very important to mean that youth are given every opportunity to make their dreams come true. We all come from different backgrounds and circumstances; however, our children need to know that we stand for and behind them at all times. If we give up on them, we can’t expect them to have much faith in themselves. MYDC is that place for parents, youth and community leaders to join together and take back the innocence of our children being children, parents gaining knowledge and resources that will help them be better parents, and a community that will get back to “It takes a VILLAGE to raise a child”.
The center is a commitment from MYDC – to the children – and their parents. Everyone gets involved. Contracts are drawn and signed by all three parties. To continue to be apart of MYDC’s elite programs each child must prove their commitment by becoming a team player and participating in our various activities, maintain and/or strive for a minimum average at the B or 3 level, maintain behavioral standards that are conducive to leadership and positive outcome at home, school, and throughout the community.
The story behind MYDC
I was an energetic, self-motivated business-woman, and devoted mother with a passion for youth. Before the age of 5 my son, Devon Wilson, went through a series of hard times when his mommy and daddy broke up. He was now living in two homes. Although Devon and I shared a good communicable relationship, it wasn’t enough. He needed someone else and he needed to know that he wasn’t the only child experiencing this. After a little research, I quickly realized that counseling for youth was not easily available in the five boroughs of New York. I also realized that peer group sessions for youth self expression wasn’t too common either. That sparked the fire and desire for “The Misunderstood Youth Development Center” (MYDC). I solicited help from other like-minded professionals, youth leaders and concerned parents to develop the vision for MYDC. In 2005, MYDC was legally formed with the mission to help understand, develop and stimulate the minds of our youth. I received a proclamation from Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz, to support these efforts and everything begun to fall into place ever since.