The Child Center of New York LATCH (Literacy-Arts-Technology-Culture-Health) Program at MS 72 aims to provide a well-balanced program that promotes mental, physical, and social development of middle school students under framework of positive youth development principles. The goals of the LATCH Program reinforce Queen Child Guidance Center's longtime mission to nurture the emotional well-being of children and families with a special focus on Queens.

The environment of the after-school program embraces 5 principles, including: 1) Academic Enrichment and Literacy, 2) Physical Health and Wellness, 3) Arts & Cultural Awareness, 4) Civic Competency, and 5) Youth Efficacy and Mattering. The overall goal of the program is to support its participants and aid them in discovering and building on their individual strengths, strengthen participants in areas of weakness, develop a social competence and responsibility, and prepare them for the world beyond middle school as they enter into adolescence. Our methods involve empowering each participant, creating an environment to reinforce positive identity, and instilling positive values and a commitment to learning.