Who We Are
Mission: We work to create opportunities for youth enrichment in their neighborhood through community engagement, job training, and education.
Our Vision: A diverse community of empowered, engaged, and healthy youth, working to strengthen their local environments.
Our Values:
- Community: We believe meaning is found in creating and sustaining productive relationships with our neighborhoods, our earth and one another.
- Hope: We believe in nurturing the full potential of each program participant.
- Purpose: We believe each resident of Spokane has a role in creating a more peaceful, productive and whole community.
- Opportunity: We believe all youth can make their lives and world more sustainable and intentional.
River City Youth empowers young people in Spokane’s West Central and other Northside neighborhoods through hands-on programs like paid internships in urban farming, biking, job training, outdoor adventures, and community events. We help youth build real-world skills, connect with mentors, and grow as leaders with hope, purpose, and opportunity.
What We Do
YOUTH INTERNSHIPS
Youth agricultural education has always been a cornerstone of RCY’s mission, and we’re excited to build on that legacy with the launch of a Teen Agricultural Internship this spring, summer, and fall.
We’re also thrilled to introduce a Barista Internship, offered in partnership with New Love Coffee, giving youth hands-on experience in customer service and coffee craft.
Our West Central Bike Bus Program helps students from Holmes Elementary safely ride to and from school together. With volunteer leaders, youth learn bike safety, road signals, and teamwork while building confidence and community connections. Rides take place in the fall and spring, with special “Fun Rides” every Friday to explore new routes and enjoy the outdoors.
Our Outdoor Adventures program connects middle school youth from Yasuhara Middle School with the outdoors through fun, educational outings in winter and spring. Youth explore local parks, trails, and natural spaces while learning about the environment, teamwork, and stewardship. Each trip encourages curiosity, confidence, and a deeper appreciation for Spokane’s natural surroundings.
River City Youth partners with 2nd Harvest’s Zilch Program to offer no-cost fresh produce to our community each week. Every Friday at 3:00 PM, fresh fruits and vegetables are delivered to our booth outside Salem Lutheran Church, where we distribute them to neighbors for up to two hours. The selection changes weekly. Past boxes have included blackberries, apples, grapefruit, and cucumbers. This is helping ensure that everyone has access to healthy, seasonal food.
Details
| (509) 703-7433 | |
| kate@rcyouth.org | |
| Kate Burke | |
| Executive Director | |
| http://rcyouth.org |
