Mission
The Catholic Youth Organization enriches families and strengthens communities across southeast Michigan through youth programs that embrace the love and example of Jesus Christ.
CYO was founded in 1933 to help metropolitan Detroit’s young people live clean, wholesome lives, regardless of their religious faith, their racial or ethnic background or their day-to-day living conditions. CYO believes positive boys and girls grow into strong Christian leaders who build healthy communities. Over the last 79 years CYO has improved the lives of literally millions of our young people, and the resulting impact on our community’s health has been immense. CYO’s programs reach across religious, geographic, racial, gender and generational lines.
CYO believes in becoming a life-long partner with our community’s youth … it gives them the resources that help them grow spititually, enjoy their own youth, it teaches them to become our community’s future leaders and, after they’re grown, it encourages them to work with the next generation’s youth replicating this healthy process over and over again, throughout our community. That’s why we say, “CYO, a part of your life …all of your life!”
Over these 79 years CYO has responded to the changing needs of our youth and the communities in which they live. Many programs developed by the organization have been transferred to community organizations, different agencies, schools etc. as the organization moved on to address other issues. These programs have included a home for boys, settlement homes, teen clubs, boxing, day care services, substance abuse prevention services, community organizing, mediation/conflict resolution programs, bully prevention training and the list goes on. Currently, CYO is concentrating on our Athletics, Camps, Spiritual Scouting and Youth Leadership Development programs.
Vision
“Mentoring Today’s Youth…Empowering Strong Christian Leaders”
Values
Fostering love of God, self and neighbor
Service to others
Respect for life
Compassion
Inclusivity
Diversity
Justice