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Community Youth Development

In 1995, the Community Youth Development Program (CYD) was created to reduce and prevent juvenile delinquency in eleven (11) specific Texas ZIP codes determined by the 74th Legislature CYD Interagency Planning Workgroup. ZIP codes were selected based on referrals to juvenile probation, juvenile crime rates and other local factors. The ZIP codes were expanded to thirteen (13) in 1998, and to fifteen (15) in the year 2000.  Beginning in 2017, three (3) additional ZIP codes were added for a total of eighteen (18) ZIP codes.

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While funding and oversight is provided through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) (http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/), local youth service organizations are selected via competitive procurement in order to administer the CYD Program for their community. Residents, businesses and other interested parties are encouraged to be involved in the development, progress and evaluation of CYD services for their community’s CYD Program.

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The CYD Program serves youth between the ages of 6-17, with an emphasis on youth between the ages of 10-17. CYD eligible youth live in and/or attend school in one of 18 targeted ZIP codes.

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RGVEZC has collaborated with Community Agencies and developed community partnerships in the 78569 and 78580 zip codes to provide the best possible services to youth and families of the Lyford and Raymondville Communities. In addition, a vast array of services have been developed to meet specific community youth needs, including:

RGVEZC Staff manning the table at the Hidalgo Youth Teen Dating Violence event.
RGVEZC COO Joan Garza manning the CYD table at Lyford ISD Fun Run event.
RGVEZC Staff manning table and distributing goods at Mission National Night Out event.
2024 YAC members and Community attendees at YAC Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Session

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

The Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to all individuals.
RGVEZ does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Any person who believes they have been subjected to discrimination or unequal treatment in connection with any program, service, or activity of the RGVEZ may file a complaint.
 

To file a discrimination complaint or obtain additional information regarding the nondiscrimination policy, please contact:

Chief Executive Officer/Director Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone
Phone: (956) 424-3276 
 

Complaints will be reviewed promptly and handled in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.

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©2026 by Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone.

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