McVay 2025-2026 Recap

By Morgan Mitsch

We are wrapping up another meaningful year with the McVay Youth Partnership, and it is hard to reflect on just how much fun, growth, and connection this program continues to promote. Early in the fall, students and staff came together to create shared values that guide the program throughout the year. These values create a space where everyone feels they belong. 

Throughout the school year, McVay programming has taken place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Path of Grace United Methodist Church and First Covenant Church of St. Paul. These partnerships are essential, providing space, support, and connection within the community. One of the many ways our church partners support McVay is through Take & Make Meal activities. These are planned meals organized by McVay staff that youth and their families can prepare at home. Our church partners play a key role by helping provide the ingredients, making it possible for families to access these resources beyond program hours. Some favorite Take & Make Meal activities have been pepperoni pizza sliders and chicken alfredo.

A typical day at McVay begins with transporting youth from their schools or homes to one of our church partner sites, often with a curated playlist and some debates about what song should play next. Once everyone arrives, we start with academic support during What I Need (WIN) time. This is a dedicated time where students can get help from Hamline mentors, whether that means working through homework, studying for tests, or building skills like math or reading. Staff are also using WIN time to relearn many concepts forgotten on the road through college and occasionally asking, “Wait, how did we do this again?” because apparently, you do need to know this someday.

On Mondays and Fridays, McVay provides snacks for students, with options like bagels, chicken nuggets, fruit, or Goldfish. Wednesdays are slightly different, as youth gather for a community dinner hosted by our church partners. These meals create a welcoming space to connect not just with one another, but with the community, because nothing brings people together like good food.

Each day also includes a structured group activity that brings everyone together. Throughout the year, these have ranged from games like gaga ball and capture the flag to art projects like tie-blanket making and Shrinky Dinks, along with group favorites like Werewolf and ships across the ocean.

Behind the scenes, staff meet weekly to plan, reflect, and collaborate. These meetings are a time to check in on how youth are doing, tackle challenges, and intentionally design activities and meals.  

McVay operates beyond the school year as well. Summer programming brings new opportunities for youth to explore and learn about the community, hopefully with some nicer weather. From participating in YMCA water safety to going on field trips and spending more time outdoors, like visiting the Como Zoo, mini golfing, or going to the beach. Youth learn about the community by visiting the library, the Cookie Cart, and Frog Town Farms, Second Harvest Heartland. 

We are grateful to everyone who makes this work possible and excited to see what the next year will bring.