Our Story

Creating a ‘Culture of Success’

The work of the Young Center actually began in 1985 when celebrated actor-director William Allen Young, established the Young Foundation.  Mr. Young, who grew up in South Central L.A. where drop out rates are among the highest in the nation, realized the need for effective youth development in local communities to help young people develop the knowledge, skills and motivation needed to rise above limitations and achieve success in college, business and life.  Without financial support or corporate sponsorships, Mr. Young took matters into his own hands. 

The 1990s

In 1987, Mr. Young forged a strategic partnership between the Foundation and LA Unified School District to develop and implement a five-year education incentive plan to improve student academic performance and college matriculation rates in the District’s lowest-performing schools.  Mr. Young used his influence in the community to mobilize parents, teachers, and retired professionals to provide academic tutoring, mentoring, and classroom support for students and teachers at failing schools.  The Foundation sponsored districtwide academic contests and scholarships for contest winners to encourage them to continue their education beyond high school.  Mr. Young additionally used his celebrity to focus media attention on the issue of education inequity in America and the challenges faced by youth in underserved communities in their efforts to obtain a college education.         View Article

The 2000s

Building on the success of its academic enrichment program, the organization began to expand its focus to include youth leadership training and development for the 21st Century.  In 2000, the Foundation was reorganized as the Young Center for Academic and Cultural Enrichment.  In 2003, the organization launched its award-winning California Youth Think Tank leadership training program at USC.  In 2004 the organization established the highly successful Saturday College Academy in Los Angeles and in 2006 launched the statewide Youth Ambassador Service program.  View Article

The 2010s

Today, the Young Center continues to work in partnership with schools, education agencies, and businesses to provide enriching educational programs for diverse youth participants – especially those are underserved in our society – and create opportunities for them to realize their potential for success in college, business and life.

TheYoungCenter