The Center for Youth was founded 50 years ago by a group of high school students who had a simple vision that there could be a place where all youth who needed a safe and respectful place could go to get support. From that humble start, the agency grew to its current state serving more than 25,000 young people each year. Our mission and goals have never changed – offering our most vulnerable youth a voice and a connection to compassionate and skilled professional staff.

The organization’s mission is laser focused on what matters the most – advocacy, accessibility, social justice and a strength-based approach – finding what’s right about young people rather than what’s wrong. Over these past decades, our mission and our purpose has been clear – The Center has partnered with youth to realize their full potential despite enormous challenges by creating opportunities, removing barriers and promoting social justice. Our purpose is to offer services rooted in a culture of belonging, growth and understanding to ensure that youth voices will be heard and respected. The Center’s history and experience of providing innovative methods and effectively working towards providing excellent and comprehensive services and supports to our youth in crisis including those facing homelessness and sexual exploitation and trauma and abuse.