Since The Youth Center’s founding in 1952, we have established our organization as a community institution, providing children and teens with a safe and welcoming space filled with people who support and care for them, along with programs to help them learn and grow. Our core programs include:

• After school program: An alternative to kids going home to an empty house and idle activities; offers homework help, tutoring, recreation, sports, STEM, leadership development, arts activities, and more.

• Summer camp: Outdoor camp that ensures families have access to multiple weeks of childcare; bans all screens and provides a wide range of educational and creative activities that engage children with each other and with nature.

• Music program: After school music program conducted in partnership with the Los Alamitos Unified School District; string and band instruction provided to children in grades K-5; students in grades 1-5 may participate in the elementary string ensemble or jazz band.

The Youth Center serves more than 3,000 young people ages 5-18 annually. We are located in Los Alamitos and reach children and teens in our home community, as well as the surrounding communities of Rossmoor, Cypress, Seal Beach, Garden Grove, and Long Beach. While community-wide poverty is low in this region, the families we serve disproportionately live in very challenging economic conditions and depend on the Youth Center for safe, stable childcare and enrichment. We promote children’s development, narrow socioeconomic, racial and ethnic inequalities, and facilitate parental employment and family self-sufficiency.

“Last year we moved to Los Alamitos after being relocated because of domestic violence and child abuse. I was a stay-at-home mom for over 10 years back to working immediately to support my children and then the pandemic hit and all jobs for education stopped being available. My commitment to keeping us safe and in a great district has remained my main priority. This has left nothing for extracurricular activities. I have begun being able to substitute again and am applying for full time jobs. Because of the Youth Center, I am able to work and give my kids a fun summer and experiences they have never had before.” - Danyelle