About Mary and Frances Youth Center
The Mary and Frances Youth Center (MFYC) was founded in 2007 on Virginia Commonwealth University's Monroe Park campus in Richmond, Virginia. Its creation was driven by a vision to offer a supportive environment where local youth could participate in educational and recreational activities.
From the start, the center’s mission has been to foster positive youth development, with its cornerstone program, Lobs & Lessons, offering tennis instruction combined with life skills and academic engagement. Over the years, MFYC expanded its programming to include a multi-sport focus, including STEM in Sports and training in youth workforce development, such as the VCU Advanced Certificate in Youth Development Management. The center also plays a significant role in the region’s Youth Program Quality Intervention, aimed at improving the quality of after-school services across Richmond
Vision:
To be a regional leader in promoting positive youth development.
Mission:
To foster the positive development and education of youth through innovative, sports-based programs that strengthen life skills, expand awareness and access to higher education opportunities, and empower adults to support positive youth development
The mission is advanced through after-school and summer programs and through both the training of adults who support youth and the educational programming offered to caretakers and family members to strengthen positive youth development.
Staff
Misti R. Mueller, Ed.D.
Executive Director
Mary and Frances Youth Center
muellermr@vcu.edu
(804) 827-0802
Misti Mueller, EdD has 30 years of experience as an educator. She taught middle school health and physical education for 18 years before moving into the role of teacher educator at VCU. Her research interests focus on increasing physical activity levels and enjoyment of physical activity for adolescences, STEM in Sports, and supporting movement throughout the day for K-12 students through active lessons that support academic content. As the Executive Director of the Mary and Frances Youth Center, Dr. Mueller is dedicated to supporting positive youth development through sports and community engagement.
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Vaughn Whitney Garland, Ph.D.
Associate Director of Education and Outreach
Mary and Frances Youth Center
garlandvw@vcu.edu
(804) 828-2696
Dr. Vaughn Whitney Garland has over twenty-five years as a Richmond-based educator, community builder, and artist in Richmond. His expertise spans youth education, program development, fostering community dialogue, and contributing to place-making initiatives. Currently serving as the Associate Director of Education and Outreach at the Mary and Frances Youth Center, a Virginia Commonwealth University department under the Division of Community Engagement, Garland earned both a Ph.D. and an M.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has held positions in many of Richmond 's non-profit arts and cultural organizations.
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Contact Us
We welcome your inquiries! Please contact us using by emailing mfyc@vcu.edu.