About Wyman

Vision, Beliefs, and Mission

Our Vision

We envision a day when ALL young people thrive.

Our Beliefs

At Wyman, we believe every young person

• Possesses the talent and potential to succeed and lead.
• Needs healthy connections with caring adults and peers.
• Deserves quality educational and life experiences, unencumbered by economic and systemic barriers.

Our Mission

Wyman connects teens to their voices, their strengths, and their futures through proven programs and supports.

Our Values

Youth-Centered  |  Relationships  |  Equity  |  Learning  |  Results

Youth-Centered. Teens own their success and create their futures – we are here to support, guide, advocate, and celebrate. The world is ever-changing, and we adapt to remain reliable and relevant allies for teens. We stand with teens to break down barriers so they can build successful lives and recognize themselves as change agents in the world.

Relationships. All our work is done through relationships. Young people learn to develop and maintain healthy relationships. Through relationships, staff collaborate to actualize the mission. Healthy and constructive relationships with our partners and stakeholders contribute to the success of the young people and communities we serve. Our relationships are authentic, respectful, and transparent. They benefit from healthy conflict and diversity of thought, and foster trust and inclusion.

Equity. We commit to creating an environment that recognizes the different needs, experiences, and talents of each individual and ensuring that every teen and staff member has the opportunities and supports to feel confident bringing their whole self to Wyman and to achieve their very best. We commit to working with young people and community partners to dismantle the barriers that prevent our vision – a day ALL young people thrive – from becoming a reality.

Learning. As a learning organization, we measure what we do and use data to inform decisions, innovations, and improvement. We employ a continuous improvement process where we plan, do, learn, adjust, and lead by sharing knowledge with our peers and in our work. We demonstrate this value as an organization and as individuals.

Results. We exist to produce meaningful and lasting results. We measure and quantify our work in a way that we can track, and we report progress within and across teams and to stakeholders. As an organization, and as individuals, we calibrate and align our work to produce the desired results.

Our Strategy

The teen years are pivotal for growth and development. We know that with positive supports and healthy connections, all young people can achieve their goals.

With our North Star of increasing impact for teens in mind, our 2025-2027 STRATEGIC PLAN centers us on increasing impact through our programs, while ensuring the organization is in a sustainably healthy position to continue supporting teens for years to come.

Our approach to working with teens is anchored in:

• Research on youth development
• Our extensive experience with, and feedback from, young people
• The identified needs of teens and their communities: educational access, leadership and workforce skill development, and teen mental health.

The work is done through our three proven programs: The Teen Connection Project® (TCP®), Wyman Leaders, and The Teen Outreach Program® (TOP®)

Each program is different, but all include effective curriculums, engagement opportunities, and caring, well-trained adult facilitators to ensure all young people thrive as they move into adulthood.

Why Does Wyman Work with Teens?

In the early 2000s, our focus shifted to specifically supporting teens, a pivotal age for development and growth. Choices young people make during this time, and the type of supports and opportunities they have access to, can have a big impact on their futures. Wyman meets teens at this critical moment with proven programs and consistent supports that help them build connections, discover their strengths, and move toward their futures with confidence. 

Wyman’s Three Proven Programs

Wyman Leaders: A multi-year leadership and educational and career success program for teens from 9th grade through two years after high school.

Teen Connection Project: A 12-14 week nationally recognized and evidence-based program for 9th through 12th graders that helps teens develop the tools to support their mental well-being.

Teen Outreach Program: A nine-month nationally recognized, evidence-based youth development program for 6th through 12th graders.

Wyman’s Impact

For more than 128 years, Wyman has helped young people develop confidence, life and leadership skills, and meaningful connections with peers, caring adults, and their communities. In the 2024-25 program year, 1,186 teens participated in Wyman’s three direct service programs. Through 70+ local and national partnerships, our programs reached more than 2,500 teens in the St. Louis area and more than 25,000 nationally.

Our 2024-2025 outcomes show what’s possible when young people are supported at the right moment. Teens in Wyman programs demonstrate strong life and leadership skills; deeper relationships; a sense of belonging with Wyman peers and coaches; overall positive well-being; and improved educational outcomes – including graduating from high school on time and persisting in postsecondary education.

Thriving Starts with Human Connection in a Tech and AI-Powered World  

Wyman’s programs help young people build the human skills that are required to thrive alongside technology: authentic connection, communication, resilience, and leadership. Technology and artificial intelligence are transforming how young people learn, communicate, and navigate the world. While these tools offer incredible opportunities, they cannot replace relationships, sense of belonging, and authentic human connections that are critical to a positive human experience.  

The future belongs to young people who can stay deeply connected to themselves, their communities and one another while leveraging evolving technology. By investing in real life (IRL) relationships and social-emotional growth, we help young people become confident, connected, and prepared to lead in a rapidly changing world. 

FAQs