About Us
Who We Are:
U-Tena Youth Organization is a Kenyan Non-Governmental Organization founded in 2006 by a group of enthusiastic youth leaders in the Mukuru Slums of Nairobi as a youth development group. The group was established on the belief that through arts young people could gain agency and become change makers. Through our various outreach programs, we foster engagement and build relationships with local youth to bring about positive change. Since 2007, we expanded our reach to the entirety of Nairobi County. U-Tena currently continues to grow, touching lives, and making a difference one step at a time. Through integration of performing arts we have made great strides in the under served populations in our community. What We Do: For more than thirteen years, U–Tena has been empowering young people to navigate critical transitions in their lives. As a registered Community Based Organization, U–Tena focuses on providing education & mentorship programs by partnering with schools, community groups and development organization both locally and internationally. Through its various outreach programs, the organization fosters engagement and builds relationships with local youth to bring about positive change in their lives. U – Tena receives financial support from private donors, corporate sources and local resource mobilization initiatives. We are proud of these decade-long partnerships and excited about the bright future we are creating by empowering youth. |
Our Vision: U – Tena is a cause-driven organization focused on empowering and developing youth to realize their potential. Our Mission: Our mission is to provide development opportunities by promoting healthy living, education, livelihood and social responsibility among youth. Our Core Values: Excellence: We foster a workplace culture that embraces innovation, teamwork, leadership, and the sharing of knowledge. Social justice We are a rights based, action-oriented and advocate group for those we serve. Impact We believe change is possible. We are change catalysts for individuals, communities and systems. We lead from one place to a better future. Professionalism We use evidence-informed practices to provide quality services, demonstrating our commitment to ethical and professional standards. Integrity We steward the resources entrusted to us with competency, efficiency, transparency and care. We measure progress and report results to demonstrate the value we add. |
U-Tena Youth Organization’s Strategic Focus: 2018-2022
Overall Goal: Optimize people, resources, and processes to improve the quality of life youth Youth Mentorship and Development To deliver high quality, needs-led empowerment programs for youth through partnerships with other local providers Organizational Development and Strengthening U – Tena is a well-managed, sustainable and effectively delivers quality youth programs Marketing and Publicity Communicate and demonstrate our impact, making U-Tena a key partner in youth development Resource Mobilization for Sustainability Diversify funding stream, increase fundraising capacity and advocate for resources to improve youth programming. |