The Youth Center

The mission of The Youth Center is to transform children's lives one family at a time through collaborative social, educational, and recreational programs.

Founded in 1952, The Youth Center has been a cornerstone of the community for more than seven decades, transforming children’s lives one family at a time through collaborative social, educational, and recreational programs. Today, The Youth Center serves more than 3,500 children annually across 26 cities in Orange and Los Angeles Counties, providing opportunities that help youth build confidence, develop skills, discover their passions, and prepare for future success. Since its founding, the organization has impacted more than 111,000 children and families while building lasting partnerships with schools, businesses, foundations, civic organizations, and community leaders.

The vision for The Youth Center began in 1949 following the passing of Grace Johnson, a longtime volunteer and Chamber of Commerce president who dedicated herself to serving local youth. Community leader William C. Poe, Jr. proposed creating a youth center in her memory, using proceeds from a local festival to establish a permanent place where children could learn, grow, and thrive. With the support of numerous community organizations and residents, enough funds were raised to lay the foundation for the center on land donated by Poe.

In 1952, The Youth Center was officially established as the Los Alamitos Youth Center, with its name changed from the original Grace Johnson Youth Center due to state requirements. As the surrounding communities grew throughout the 1960s and 1970s, so did the demand for youth services. The organization expanded its programming and partnered with local entities to create a larger, multi-purpose facility. In 1976, The Youth Center moved to its Oak Street location, continuing its mission of serving children, teens, and families throughout the region.

Over the decades, The Youth Center has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of youth and families. Programs expanded from early recreational activities and teen services to include after-school education, summer camps, music education, STEM programs, leadership development, tutoring, and career readiness initiatives. The addition of the Teen Center in 1978 strengthened the organization’s commitment to supporting youth through every stage of development.

In 1997, The Youth Center launched its first Community Support Campaign, raising more than $70,000 to sustain youth programs. This tradition of community investment has continued for nearly three decades, generating more than $1 million in support and demonstrating the community’s ongoing belief in the importance of investing in young people.

The Youth Center’s commitment to excellence has been recognized through numerous milestones. In 2018, the organization celebrated reaching one million service hours and was recognized as a Top-Rated Nonprofit by Great Nonprofits. In 2019, The Youth Center celebrated 30 years of partnership with the Los Alamitos Unified School District providing instrumental music education to elementary students. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization remained a vital community resource by providing essential childcare for frontline workers, adapting programs virtually, and continuing to support families during unprecedented challenges.

In 2021, The Youth Center expanded its impact with the launch of Camp SHARK After School Adventures and R.A.S.C.A.L.S. at the Plaza, increasing access to quality after-school and enrichment opportunities. A historic milestone followed in 2023 when The Youth Center opened its first permanent facility, made possible through 100% community-funded construction. The new Youth Center created dedicated spaces for expanded learning, including a STEAM Lab, Tutoring Center, Culinary Kids Lab, Music Academy Hub, Library, and collaborative classrooms.

Since moving into its new home, The Youth Center has continued to grow and innovate. New programs introduced include Girls in STEM, LEVEL UP public speaking, MBA Sharks entrepreneurship, Write Your Future college essay preparation, Anatomy Adventure science education, and expanded leadership opportunities for middle and high school students. These programs are designed to prepare youth with the academic, communication, leadership, and life skills needed to succeed in college, careers, and beyond.

In 2026, The Youth Center strengthened its future by expanding its Board of Directors, completing its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, increasing organizational capacity, and establishing a roadmap to serve more children and families throughout the region. The organization continues to invest in sustainable growth, community partnerships, and innovative programming that addresses the evolving needs of youth.

For more than 74 years, The Youth Center has remained committed to one guiding belief: every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. Through education, mentorship, leadership development, and community collaboration, The Youth Center continues to shape the next generation of confident, capable, and compassionate leaders.

Accomplishments 2026:

1. Expanded College & Career Readiness Programs
Launched several innovative programs designed to prepare students for future success, including Write Your Future (college essay and admissions preparation), MBA Sharks Academy (entrepreneurship), and LEVEL UP (public speaking and leadership), equipping students with practical skills for college, careers, and life.

2. Strengthened Organizational Leadership
Expanded the Board of Directors by welcoming new community leaders with diverse expertise and completed The Youth Center's 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, establishing a roadmap for sustainable growth, organizational excellence, and serving more children throughout the region.

3. Increased Community Impact
Continued serving more than 3,500 children annually through after-school programs, music education, STEM learning, leadership development, camps, tutoring, culinary education, and family support while expanding access to scholarships for families in need.

4. Expanded Funding & Community Partnerships
Secured new grant funding and strengthened relationships with businesses, foundations, schools, civic organizations, and individual donors, providing the resources needed to expand programming and increase accessibility for local families.

5. Continued Investment in Our Permanent Home
Enhanced programming at The Youth Center's permanent facility by expanding hands-on educational opportunities through the STEAM Lab, Culinary Kids Lab, Tutoring Center, Music Academy Hub, and collaborative learning spaces while continuing the organization's long-term campaign to eliminate the building mortgage.

Goals for 2027

1. Serve More Children Through Program Expansion
Increase enrollment across all programs by expanding partnerships with local schools and communities, allowing more children to access affordable, high-quality educational and enrichment opportunities.

2. Eliminate the Building Mortgage
Accelerate the "Burn the Mortgage" campaign by increasing major gifts, stock donations, corporate partnerships, and planned giving, ensuring more future donations directly support children and programs.

3. Expand College & Career Readiness Initiatives
Grow entrepreneurship, leadership, financial literacy, college preparation, and workforce readiness programs, preparing students with the confidence and skills needed for lifelong success.

4. Increase Organizational Sustainability
Strengthen long-term financial stability by growing the Endowment Fund, diversifying funding sources, increasing monthly donors, and expanding volunteer and internship opportunities.

5. Implement the 2026–2029 Strategic Plan
Continue executing the strategic plan by investing in staff development, strengthening board governance, enhancing community partnerships, expanding organizational capacity, and increasing measurable impact to serve significantly more children and families throughout Orange County.

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed, yet many children and families continue to face barriers that limit access to quality educational enrichment, mentorship, and safe spaces outside of school hours. Across Orange and Los Angeles Counties, working families need affordable, reliable programs that support children academically, socially, and emotionally while helping them develop the skills necessary for future success.

Students today face increasing challenges, including learning gaps, limited access to hands-on STEM education, reduced opportunities for leadership development, and the growing need for communication, career readiness, and life skills. Many young people lack opportunities to explore their interests, discover their strengths, and build the confidence needed to pursue college, careers, and positive futures. Middle school and high school students especially need opportunities to develop critical skills such as public speaking, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, teamwork, and problem-solving before entering adulthood.

The demand for youth development programs continues to grow as families seek safe, enriching environments where children can thrive beyond the traditional classroom. Affordable after-school care and summer programs provide more than supervision—they provide opportunities for academic support, creativity, mentorship, physical activity, social connection, and personal growth. For many families, these programs are essential to balancing work responsibilities while ensuring their children have access to meaningful experiences.

The Youth Center addresses this critical need by providing comprehensive programs that support children from elementary school through young adulthood. Through after-school programs, Camp S.H.A.R.K., Music Academy, Girls in STEM, Leadership Academy, LEVEL UP public speaking, MBA Sharks entrepreneurship, college preparation, tutoring, and family support initiatives, The Youth Center creates pathways for youth to build confidence, explore their passions, and prepare for future success.

As the community continues to grow and the needs of families evolve, The Youth Center is committed to expanding access to high-quality youth development opportunities. The organization’s 2026–2029 Strategic Plan focuses on reaching more children, strengthening partnerships, increasing sustainability, and ensuring that every young person—regardless of background or financial circumstances—has the tools, support, and opportunities needed to succeed.

Investing in The Youth Center means investing in the future of our community. By providing children with education, mentorship, leadership opportunities, and positive relationships, we help create confident students, successful graduates, and future leaders.

Because Los Alamitos public schools are highly rated, many parents who work in Los Alamitos enroll their children in this school district. This means that we are able to serve children from many ethnically and economically diverse communities including Long Beach, Lakewood, Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, Downey, Garden Grove, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Cerritos, Stanton, and others.

For more than 74 years, The Youth Center has been a place where children are encouraged to dream bigger, discover their strengths, and believe in their potential. What began in 1952 as a community’s vision to create a safe and inspiring place for young people has grown into an organization serving thousands of children and families each year across Orange and Los Angeles Counties.

As someone who came to America in 2003 and built my own life through resilience, opportunity, and the support of others, I understand the powerful impact that a caring community can have on a child’s future. Every child deserves someone who believes in them, a place where they feel supported, and opportunities to discover what they are capable of achieving.

At The Youth Center, we do more than provide programs—we build confidence, create connections, and prepare young people for life. Through our after-school programs, STEM education, Music Academy, leadership opportunities, entrepreneurship programs, public speaking courses, college preparation, and family support services, we help children develop the skills they need to succeed in school, careers, and beyond.

The opening of our permanent facility in 2023 marked a transformational chapter for our organization and our community. This new home allows us to expand our impact, provide hands-on learning experiences, and create a welcoming environment where children can explore, create, and grow. It represents what is possible when a community comes together with a shared belief in investing in its youth.

In 2026, we continued building on this momentum by launching new programs, strengthening our leadership team and Board of Directors, and developing our 2026–2029 Strategic Plan. This roadmap focuses on reaching more children, expanding opportunities, increasing sustainability, and ensuring The Youth Center remains a trusted resource for generations to come.

Our work is made possible because of the incredible partnerships we have with families, schools, volunteers, donors, businesses, foundations, and community leaders who believe every child deserves a chance to succeed. Together, we are creating pathways for young people to become confident students, innovative thinkers, compassionate leaders, and engaged members of our community.

Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us transform children’s lives one family at a time. The future is bright because we are building it together.

With gratitude,

Lina Lumme

It is an honor to serve as Board Chair of The Youth Center and support an organization that has been transforming the lives of children and families for more than 74 years. Since its founding in 1952, The Youth Center has been a trusted community partner, providing young people with the guidance, opportunities, and resources they need to succeed.

What makes The Youth Center truly special is its ability to evolve with the needs of the community while staying true to its mission. From after-school programs and summer camps to music education, STEM learning, leadership development, entrepreneurship, and college readiness, The Youth Center continues to create opportunities that help children discover their passions and build confidence for the future.

As Board Chair, I have had the privilege of witnessing the dedication of our staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners who come together every day to make a difference. Under the leadership of CEO Lina Lumme, The Youth Center has experienced tremendous growth, including the opening of its permanent facility, expansion of innovative programs, and the development of a strategic vision for the future.

Our Board of Directors is committed to ensuring The Youth Center remains strong, sustainable, and prepared to serve even more children and families in the years ahead. Through our 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, we are focused on expanding access to programs, strengthening community partnerships, investing in leadership, and creating new opportunities for youth to thrive.

The greatest measure of our success is not only the number of children we serve, but the confidence, skills, and dreams we help them build. Whether a student discovers a passion for music, science, entrepreneurship, public speaking, or leadership, The Youth Center provides the encouragement and support that helps them take the next step toward their future.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you to our families, volunteers, donors, community partners, and supporters who believe in the power of investing in young people. Together, we are building a stronger community by helping every child reach their full potential.

With appreciation,

Mike Prencavage Jr.
Board Chair
The Youth Center