OUR MISSION

Through programs rooted in virtue, community,
and a relationship with Jesus Christ,

Contigo empowers youth to thrive.

 

OUR VISION

A community of supported families
and youth living to their full potential.

The Challenge

In the Seven Corners and Bailey’s Crossroads area, almost 9,000 people have limited education, insufficient economic resources, and inadequate living conditions to meet basic needs or help their children attain a better life.

Census data shows us that 23% of 15-17-year-olds are not in school. The Median Household income is $32,500. The child poverty rate is 47%. Fifty-two percent of households are single-parent homes.

Nationally, following the pandemic, youth are more lonely than ever, suicide rates are rising.

Church attendance and religious affiliation are on the decline.

What We Do

Contigo provides 1st-12th graders with enriching out-of-school time informed by Catholic values. Contigo Youth Club is a safe, supervised place to grow through holistic and fun programming and positive relationships.

ENGAGING PROGRAMMING

Youth grow together through living the Faith, experimenting with STEM, playing sports, exploring the arts, and receiving academic support.

SERVING FAMILIES

Camp Contigo runs 9:00am-5:30pm Monday through Friday, with drop-off as early as 7:30am to best serve families.

SUPPORTIVE
RELATIONSHIPS

Caring and trained adult staff members are positive role-models and supportive religious adults in the lives of members.

RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST

Leading youth to cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and respond to the universal call to holiness.

Why It Works

Engaging youth in programs during out-of-school time contributes to positive outcomes

  • Better attitudes toward school and higher educational aspirations
  • Lower dropout rates and greater on-time promotion
  • Decreased behavioral problems
  • Increased self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-efficacy
  • Improved social skills and communication skills and/or relationships
  • Lower levels of depression and anxiety
  • Avoidance of drug/alcohol use
  • Decreased delinquency and violent behavior
  • Increased physical activity
  • Increased avoidance of sexual activity

Positive relationships with supportive, non-parent religious adults and rich experiences of prayer and religion have been shown to be powerful factors associated with young people sustaining religious commitment and practice into adulthood.

Our Team

Mariah Naegele

Co-founder & Director

Mariah Naegele is co-founder and director of Contigo Youth Club. She has 10 years of experience working in the positive youth development field, including time with Fairfax County Public Schools, Breakthrough Central Texas, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central VA. Most recently, Mariah was the Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry at St. Charles Borromeo in Arlington. Mariah holds a B.S.Ed. in Youth & Social Innovation from University of Virginia.

Contact: mariah@contigoyouth.org

Bulay Miñano

Co-founder & Director

Bulay Miñano is co-founder and director of Contigo Youth Club. She has worked in the non-profit sector for 15 years, with a focus on evangelization and communications. Bulay founded Pure Heart Philippines and spent five years accompanying young adults and youth in Cebu City, Philippines. She holds a B.S. from New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Contact: bulay@contigoyouth.org

Natalie McIntyre

Senior Program Leader

Natalie McIntyre is a Senior Program Leader at Contigo Youth Club. She has been investing in Catholic youth for 7 years through work in various schools and summer camps. For the past two years she was a volunteer teacher and residential directer with the SOLT Missionary Volunteers in Benque Viejo Del Carmen, Belize, working at John Paul the Great College. She holds a B.S. in Human Development from Virginia Tech.

Contact: natalie@contigoyouth.org

Sophia Sheehy

Teen Center Manager

Sophia Sheehy is our Teen Center Manager at Contigo Youth Club. Sophia has 4 years of experience serving the church through youth ministry at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and a Catholic retreat center in West Virginia. She joins us from the federal government, where she worked as a foreign policy analyst.  Sophia holds a B.A. in economics and applied math from the University of Notre Dame.

Board of Directors

Mariah Naegele
President

Bulay Miñano
Secretary & Treasurer

Nick Courtney
Director

Matilda Donovan
Director

Michael Fuentes
Director

Stephen Gabriel
Director

Tobias Naegele
Director