Mission Statement
How We Started
Mychal’s Learning Place opened its doors in Hawthorne, California in July 2002 with an After School Program focused on creating a warm, inviting, supportive, and educational environment for youth with developmental disabilities. Because of the huge need, we opened our second after school program site in Culver City in April 2006. After leasing space for many years, we were fortunate to have the support of the community and a successful capital campaign led to the purchase of our current facility in Hawthorne. We moved in 2011, closed escrow on the building purchase in 2015, and are thrilled to have a permanent home for youth and young adults with developmental disabilities (and their families) for generations to come.
With the success of our after school programs and having such a great space in Hawthorne, we started the Path to Independence Adult Day Program in June 2013. We have seen incredible growth from the participants in this program while they learn essential independent living skills and crucial job skills. In December 2015, we launched Mychal’s Bakery & Coffee, our social enterprise dedicated to bakery catering, and pop-up coffee and baked goods service within the local community. Realizing the demand for more on-the-job opportunities was growing, in 2019 we started our second social enterprise, Mychal’s Print & Embroidery, and after another successful capital campaign, that business is now located on Artesia Blvd. in Redondo Beach. The job training aspect of these ventures is incredibly valuable. The participants are learning a multitude of transferable job skills including cashier, customer service, quality assurance, barista, janitorial duties, inventory management, garment printing, shipping & receiving, and so much more. As participants continue to improve their skills and gain experience, they will be better equipped to apply for jobs within the community.
The goal of Mychal’s Learning Place is to continue providing a safe and loving environment that encourages independence and builds self-esteem. We believe that children and adults should be seen and heard and that we should challenge everyone to succeed. We are committed to fulfilling the needs of our community and providing a place for our youth and young adults to call home.
