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The Third Street Community Center provides educational programs and enrichment opportunities for children in San Jose. We offer youth with a safe, positive, and stimulating environment to explore learning and experience academic and personal success. We provide academic support through our After School Academics Program (ASAP), and Summer Camps. We also engage youth in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through a design challenge in our Young Engineers Program (YEP). All programs provide mentoring opportunities that connect children to positive role models from local universities. At Third Street, children improve skills in reading and math, receive help with homework, strengthen their sense of self-esteem, and build confidence.
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Our Mission
The Third Street Community Center is a place where people of all ages and backgrounds are actively engaged in enriching themselves and their community through education, arts, technology and service.
Our Beginnings
Community leaders in San Jose founded Third Street Community Center (TSCC) in 1997. Spearheaded by the then Reverend Lindi Ramsden from the First Unitarian Church of San Jose, her passion for social justice brought together a multi-disciplinary group of key stakeholders who shared her vision of creating a more equitable community. This group included community members, city leaders, elected officials, public health representatives, educators, business leaders, and others. In 1998, Third Street incorporated as a non-denominational non-profit organization. The first year of operation was accomplished with the support of volunteers from the First Unitarian Church of San Jose many of whom provided their time, talent and service to help build our programs. Since this humble origin, Third Street has served over 2,500 economically and socially disadvantaged children and individuals. Today, Third Street is a well-respected agency and a leader in serving disadvantaged children and families living and working in the shadow of Silicon Valley.
Our Philosophy
At Third Street Community Center (TSCC) we use a unique whole child, whole family, and whole community approach to engage our participants in life-long learning practices. We believe that community is crucial to helping children that are eager to learn, reach their full potential. We know that parents do have a great influence over their child's academic and social achievement. Staff engages with parents to promote participation in a variety of activities that directly contribute to their child’s success.
Our approach recognizes that a child’s success sometimes requires more than willingness and participation. We also incorporate teachers, staff, volunteers, and mentors who often become adult role models that help to create a healthy, dynamic, and thriving community for our kids to shine. This inclusive approach inspires volunteers from all backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and professions to take an active role in our children’s education and well being. Our Volunteer Program is just one of our many strengths and a prime example of how our whole community approach empowers individuals to give back to our community.
Our approach recognizes that a child’s success sometimes requires more than willingness and participation. We also incorporate teachers, staff, volunteers, and mentors who often become adult role models that help to create a healthy, dynamic, and thriving community for our kids to shine. This inclusive approach inspires volunteers from all backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and professions to take an active role in our children’s education and well being. Our Volunteer Program is just one of our many strengths and a prime example of how our whole community approach empowers individuals to give back to our community.