Alumni

Alumni Association

About the Alumni Association

This is the official site of the Young Center Alumni Association (YCAA). YCAA is a dynamic group of youth leaders who are former participants of programs sponsored by the Young Center for Academic & Cultural Enrichment. YCAA was established in 2011 to serve the needs of its vast alumni population nationwide and to create an on-going support system for current and future program participants.

YCAA’s Mission

The mission of the Young Center Alumni Association is:

•to promote strong and mutually beneficial ties between the Young Center and its diverse alumni
•to provide opportunities for Young Center alumni to stay connected and informed about activities and events sponsored by the Young Center and its alumni association throughout the year.
•to generate an alumni involvement network to support Young Center programs for the benefit of current and future program participants
•to organize and promote special alumni activities and events throughout the year
•to serve as liaison between the Young Center and surrounding community while promoting the overall vision and mission of the organization

YCAA Membership

Membership in YCAA is open to all alumni who have successfully completed an educational program sponsored by the Young Center of Los Angeles and who wish to stay connected with their friends and support the organization.

Alumni Hall of Fame

In January 2012 the Young Center will officially establish its Alumni Hall of Fame to recognize and honor outstanding youth participants and alumni of its programs who have distinguished themselves in their academic, personal and professional pursuits. ...their achievements. This Hall of Fame will serve to inspire other young people to commit themselves to a life of excellence, integrity, and service.

Benefits of membership

YCAA members will be able to advise the president and program directors on program planning and development, participate in applicant selection process, develop activities and events, share their thoughts and ideas as a group on how to improve upon existing programs. Members will also have the opportunity to donate their time and energy, as well as receive e-newsletters featuring alumni success stories, updates on all organization programs, and much much more. Members will have access to organization’s vast educational and professional resources.

William A. Young (Founder & President)

Mr. Young is a celebrated actor-educator recognized by millions of worldwide fans for his starring roles in stage, television, and film projects. He is widely considered one of the most influential community. He is creator of the award-winning California Youth Think Tank and Youth Ambassador programs. > View Biography

Helen P. Young (Program Coordinator)

Ms. Young is a distinguished educator and college counselor with over 20 years of professional experience in higher education. She holds a BA degree in Human Services & Adolescent Counseling as well as a Masters degree in Education Counseling from California State University Dominguez Hills.

Julie Carson (Facilitator-Team Leader)

Ms. Carson is a professional educator with over 20 years of experience in education of youth and adult learners. She holds a Bachelors degree in History from University of California at Davis and is a recipient of the coveted Excellence in Teaching Award from the California Council for Adult Education.

Jerome Roberts (Facilitator-Team Leader)

Mr. Roberts is a distinguished educator with over 20 years of experience in the field of education. He holds BA and MA degrees in Education from California State University Northridge, as well as an MA degree in Education Administration from California State University Long Beach.

Les Walker (Facilitator-Team Leader)

Mr. Walker graduated from Texas Southern University with a BA degree in Sociology. He has over 20 years of professional experience in counseling/human resource development, as well as a wealth of knowledge and experience in the American Civil Rights movement.

Dr. Darlene V. Willis (Instructor-Team Leader)

Dr. Willis is former Dean of Students at San Diego State Univ. She holds a BA in Psychology, an MA and Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology. She is co-founder of Empowering Parents and College-Bound San Diego and has had a great impact college matriculation rates, especially for African-American youth in San Diego.

Dr. Lewis M. King (Education Advisor-Instructor)

Dr. King is professor of human behavior & psychiatry at UCLA and a Senior Fellow at the National Center for Health Behavioral Change in Washington, DC. He is also creator of the ‘Intentional Civility’ training model and curriculum utilized by the Young Center.

Fredericka L. McGee (Legal Advisor)

Ms. McGee currently serves as general counsel to California State Assembly Speaker John Pẽrez and served in the same capacity to former Speakers Karen Bass, Fabian Nunez, and Antonio Villaraigosa.

Juan L. Young II (Facilitator-Team Leader)

Juan is a graduate of CSU San Bernardino and holds a BA in Psychology. He is former Director of the Young Center for Success Pre-School and is a professional motivational speaker and distinguished program alum.

Kevin Shallert (Facilitator-Team Leader)

Kevin graduated from UC Channel Islands with a BA degree in Political Science. He is a distinguished Young Center program alum and also works as an analyst for the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica, California.

Ashleigh Renteria (Facilitator - Team Leader)

Ashleigh is a proud graduate of Notre Dame University and holds BA degree in Psychology. She is a distinguished Young Center program alum and teacher and program coordinator at St. Monica Catholic High School in Santa Monica, California.

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