Three decades ago, SCAN was founded with a singular and focused mission: to prevent child abuse and neglect and to provide treatment to families “at risk” of these behaviors. Over the years, however, our mission has evolved significantly, partly due to our growth and increased capacity but equally due to SCAN’s recognition that rescuing at-risk families – indeed enabling them to prosper – requires a more holistic approach.

We view each SCAN family, literally, as “our families” and “our children.” Thus, our emphasis on activities for all age groups, where parents and children work separately and together to achieve the self-esteem needed for success; where parents play an integral role in many of the most critical ‘rescue’ activities; and where SCAN serves as the backbone, providing support not only when the burdens of inner-city life threaten to erode hard fought gains, but every day, throughout the day.

With so many of our young people drowning in a struggling school system, SCAN emphasizes education and empowerment as the key to personal growth and success. We want “our SCAN children” to be interested, to learn, to excel and so to prosper. This goal underlies our sponsorship of Reach For The Stars, SCAN’s award-winning upward bound program, as well as our extensive After-School Literacy efforts and, if you can believe it, a well-attended Saturday Learning Academy, as well as countless recreation and arts activities.

SCAN is building communities of capable, connected and driven individuals, and “Yes, I Can!” is both our creed and our rallying call.