Our Story

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The Young Center’s impactful journey began in the 1990s, when actor-educator-philanthropist William Allen Young founded the Young Foundation in Los Angeles. Recognizing the urgent need to build a Culture of Success in underserved schools and communities with some of the nation’s lowest graduation rates, he took action.

 

In the 1990s, the Foundation partnered with the LA Unified School District to improve student outcomes at underperforming schools.  Through its bold Education Incentive Plan, the Foundation mobilized an army of committed parents and community volunteers to provide tutoring, mentoring, classroom support, free breakfast programs for low-income students, and scholarships for college-bound seniors.  The initiative led to a dramatic rise in student achievement and was eventually adopted districtwide.

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In 2001, the Young Center for Academic & Cultural Enrichment was established to expand the Foundation’s original mission.  In 2003, the Young Center launched its flagship program—California Youth Think Tank (the nation's premiere youth leadership training program) and Youth Ambassador Service Initiative creating opportunities for youth to serve their communities as advocates for positive change. 

 

Today, the Young Center is a nationally respected nonprofit, having served students from over 250 schools and earning five prestigious national Awards of Excellence in Youth Development.  With student success rates among the highest in the country and alumni thriving in colleges, careers, and leadership roles, the Young Center continues to set the standard for effective youth empowerment.