At-Risk Youth Celebrate Space Week with Rockets and Spaceships at My City Youth

Media Contact:
Community Outreach Ministry Director Dr. Mona Salomo-Davies
Telephone: 951-698-7650 | Mobile: 951-231-5515
Email: daviesmmd1@gmail.com
Website: www.communityoutreachministry.org
Photos: Courtesy of Community Outreach Ministry

By Anthony O’Leary

At-Risk Youth Celebrate Space Week with Rockets and Spaceships at My City Youth

HEMET, Calif. — Astronauts, rockets, and spaceships lit up the imagination of 25 at-risk children during My City Youth’s Space Week on July 29, 2025. Youth ages 8 to 16 gathered in Hemet for two “Gearing Up for STEM” Mentor Protégé workshops, where they built model rockets and spaceships, they could proudly call their own. The event was made possible through the Riverside County District Attorney Asset Forfeiture Special Fund, which provided the STEM kits.

The celebration of space exploration came just days before SpaceX and NASA launched the Crew-11 missionfrom the Kennedy Space Center on August 1, linking the children’s creative work to real-world achievements in science and technology.

The first workshop featured ten children between the ages of 8 and 11, who eagerly opened their LEGO spaceship kits. Guided by Coach Bob Davies, the young builders quickly immersed themselves in the challenge. With instruction booklets spread out and bricks in hand, the room fell into what mentors described as “pin-drop silence.” Raquel was the first to complete her model at the girls’ table, followed closely by Levi at the boys’ table. Both then stepped into leadership roles, helping their peers complete their spaceships. When the children learned they would keep their creations and take them home, their faces filled with pure joy.

The second session welcomed 15 older students, ages 12 to 16, who tackled Estes Cosmic Cargo Rocket kits. Using crayons, the teens first designed their own unique rocket bodies before assembling fins, nose cones, and parachutes. The room buzzed with talkative energy as participants encouraged one another, eager to see their rockets fly. Although launches could not be held on-site for safety reasons, the students left excited to complete their test flights with their families.

Beyond the fun of building, the event reflected the mission of both Community Outreach Ministry and My City Youth: to provide prevention and intervention programs that steer children away from gangs, drugs, and crime. Instead, participants experience teamwork, creativity, and exposure to future career paths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Kim Rodriguez, Executive Director of My City Youth, expressed her gratitude: “Thank you so much for blessing our kiddos! They had a blast!”

Kathryn Ross, Founder - lil’ Gary’s Legacy, echoed the impact: “I heard the workshop was a great success! Thank you so much for providing the opportunity for the kids to learn about STEM spaceships and rockets.”

Community Outreach Ministry also extended appreciation to Ms. Salote Adam, director of the afterschool program, and intern Emma Knechtel, whose support helped make the workshops a success.

Space Week was another reminder of the power of mentorship, imagination, and opportunity. With the right tools and encouragement, these children—many growing up in underserved communities—are charting their own paths toward brighter futures.

Find the highlights from our Space Week workshops in this short video: https://youtu.be/D9_SoK7RDSk?si=MyFwwEYy1aHg8QbF

About Community Outreach Ministry
Community Outreach Ministry, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children impacted by parental incarceration, was co-founded in 2000 by Dr. Mona Salomo-Davies and her husband, Bob. The ministry’s mission is to help at-risk children break the cycle of incarceration and become winners and champions in life. Through afterschool intervention programs such as “Gearing Up for STEM” Mentor Protégé workshops, Community Outreach Ministry provides educational, social, and vocational support that empowers youth to build skills, develop confidence, and prepare for the future workforce.

For more information, to make a donation, or to become a sponsor, contact the Community Outreach Ministry’s office at 951-698-7650 or call/text 951-231-5515. Visit www.communityoutreachministry.org or email info@communityoutreachministry.org. Donations may also be mailed to 23905 Clinton Keith Road Suite 114 #116, Wildomar, CA 92595.