Mission

ICAN provides free, comprehensive out-of-school-time programs that empower youth to be productive, self-confident and responsible citizens.

Vision

Chandler youth will live in a safe, drug free community with equal access to quality programs that promote their academic and personal success.

Values

• Youth of our community
• Success of youth in their academic and personal lives
• Safe program space for youth to learn and grow
• Quality out-of-school-time programs that are accessible to all families
• Caring, competent staff and volunteers who model respect for self and others through age appropriate and culturally relevant programming
• Importance of play and positive relationships in developing youth
• Safe and drug free communities for youth and families
• Being responsive and accountable to the community that we serve

Read more about ICAN:www.icanaz.org

Who We Are

ICAN is a high-quality, out-of-school-time program that empowers youth to be accountable for their futures. Founded to provide nurturing guidance to and activities for Chandler youth, ages 5 – 18, ICAN offers after-school and summer/intersession programs which foster positive attitudes while discouraging destructive behavior.

Participants in our programs achieve significant, positive lifestyle changes including, gains in leadership, social competency skills and self-confidence. These new found skills enable ICAN youth to resist the pressure to use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs as well as provide a positive alternative to violence and gang-related activities.

While the majority of our participants are from Chandler, youth from other areas of the Valley are welcome to participate. All program services and activities are free of charge including transportation to and from our location (within the Chandler area) and healthy snacks for all program participants.

Why We Do What We Do

Not all youth organizations are equipped to serve kids from communities riddled with drugs, gangs and limited socio-economic resources. Often, kids from these communities learn to survive in extremely harsh situations or are lured into destructive behaviors that are not the easiest to turn around. Unfortunately, this means that they are often left behind by the majority of youth organizations

ICAN addresses this situation head on with programming that is research-based and proven to make a difference in the lives of the kids and families that we serve. Our prevention-based, culturally sensitive and age appropriate programs are developed specifically to meet the unique needs of our community. Every program is quantifiable and measurable, to enable us to best achieve ICAN’s mission of empowering youth to be productive, self-confident and responsible citizens.

Change is Good

As the needs of this community change, so do our programs. We regularly monitor risk and prevention factors to make sure that our programs are directly influencing the choices our kids and families make regarding their lives and their future. We purposely match up program objectives with those skills necessary to reduce risk factors and increase the chances for personal and academic success.

Simply, families play a critical role in supporting their kids’ success. With family involvement, ICAN can better reduce problem behaviors and societal pressures that can negatively impact the kids in our Chandler community.

ICAN is There When Our Kids Need Us Most!

Research shows that kids are 4 times more likely to get involved in delinquent behaviors between 3:00 and 6:00 PM. That’s why ICAN’s programs are so critical. We give kids a positive, safe environment at the highest risk time to:

• develop key social skills proven effective in resisting drugs and violence
• improve their academic skills
• build self-confidence and responsible behaviors
• develop new job and leadership skills
• develop positive strong bonds with adults and other youth as support for their success

ICAN changes the way kids look at their lives and the potential that exists for their futures.

We know their struggles. We value their diversity. We celebrate their achievements and successes. We stand by them when they need us. ICAN believes in the potential of all youth in Chandler- all youth!