About Children Striving Together

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower youth in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties to reach their full potential through fun, engaging, and impactful programs. From mentorship to tutoring and enrichment activities, we create safe spaces where young people can grow, learn, and thrive. Our goal is to shape tomorrow’s leaders, one experience at a time—offering the guidance, support, and opportunities they need to succeed. Together, we’re investing in brighter futures, ensuring every child has the chance to shine.

CST members have access to a diverse experience that combines fun, skill building, community, and personal development. Our programs grow and evolve based on the needs and interests of our local youth and provide a safe outlet for them to explore their talents.

Our Impact

We realized the youth in our community needed more positive outlets, so we made it our mission to help. CST is made up of people from the very community we serve, so it gives us first hand insight into exactly what our kids need.

One of our main goals is to teach children that their struggles and obstacles don’t determine their lives; they can always overcome adversity with help and hard work. Our members leave CST with leadership and social skills, academic improvement, and a built-in community they can rely on. Our main focus is to offer our youth the life skills that will positively shape their futures.

Our Future

The future of CST is bright. Our initial goal was to impact the world starting with our community and we’re now well on our way. We hope to eventually have youth centers around the world, offering greater academic support, activities and events catered to their specific communities, and a chance to add value to the lives of youth everywhere.

Children Striving Together’s founder, Christi McDaniel poses powerfully during a photoshoot.

Our Story

Founder Christi McDaniel knows the hardships of not having the “perfect family.” But despite feeling like something was missing from her life, she always wore a brave face as a reassurance for her younger sisters. This, along with a lifelong desire to help others, brought Christi into the world of volunteering with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters L.A., Aviva, and Athens Baptist Church, where she served as a Youth Ministry Director for two years.

In March of 2013, Christi established Children Striving Together, a nonprofit dedicated to offering guidance and support to youth despite challenges at home and in their family lives. CST’s mission is to “bring something special and significant to each and every child's life.” The mantra, Helping Youth Thrive, is upheld every day by CST’s team, now over 150 members-strong.

Today, Christi continues to positively influence others and effortlessly brings forth leaders that devote their lives to helping vulnerable youth succeed. She resides in Compton, CA, working full-time as the CEO of Children Striving Together, and enjoys spending time with her family, reading, eating, and making lasting friendships.

Learn More About Our Founder