Our History

Since its founding in 1952, The Youth Center has been a cornerstone of the Los Alamitos community, serving over 106,000 local families. Our mission is to transform children’s lives one family at a time by offering collaborative social, educational, and recreational programs that foster growth, confidence, and success. Throughout our history, we have built lasting partnerships within the community, ensuring our programs meet the evolving needs of local youth.

The idea for The Youth Center began in 1949 after the passing of Grace Johnson, a longtime volunteer and Chamber of Commerce president. In her honor, William C. Poe, Jr. proposed using funds from a local festival to establish a youth center in her memory. The effort, supported by many community organizations, raised enough money to lay the foundation for the center on a lot donated by Poe himself.

In 1952, The Youth Center was officially founded as the Los Alamitos Youth Center, shifting its name from the original Grace Johnson Youth Center due to state regulations. Over the years, the organization saw rapid growth in the 1960s and 1970s as the population of the surrounding areas grew. The need for larger facilities led to the sale of the original building and the beginning of a new chapter for The Youth Center, including a partnership with the City of Los Alamitos and other local entities to build a multi-use recreation center.

In 1976, The Youth Center officially moved to its current location on Oak Street, where it continued to serve the youth of Los Alamitos and surrounding communities. By the 1980s, the center was offering a variety of programs from gymnastics to teen employment services. The addition of the Teen Center in 1978 further solidified the organization’s role in the community. Over time, the Youth Center has remained adaptable, expanding its offerings in response to the changing needs of the community, such as the addition of after-school programs, summer camps, and leadership academies.

In 1997, the Youth Center launched its first Community Support Campaign, raising over $70,000 to support programs, a tradition that has continued with success, helping the organization raise over $1 million over the years.

The organization’s commitment to local youth was further solidified in 2018 when The Youth Center celebrated one million service hours and was recognized as a Top-Rated Nonprofit by Great Nonprofits. In 2019, The Youth Center marked its 30-year collaboration with the Los Alamitos Unified School District in providing instrumental music education to elementary students.

Despite challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, The Youth Center continued to adapt, offering essential childcare for frontline workers and shifting many programs online. In 2021, The Youth Center expanded its programming with the launch of SHARK After School Adventures and the new R.A.S.C.A.L.S. at the Plaza program.

In 2023, The Youth Center achieved a major milestone by relocating to a new, permanent facility. With 100% of funds raised for the construction of the new center, we are now poised to expand our reach and impact. Along with our new home, we’ve introduced additional programs and launched an Endowment Fund to secure the long-term sustainability of the organization. These steps are critical in ensuring we continue to provide transformative opportunities for local youth for many years to come.

Looking ahead, The Youth Center remains committed to its mission of empowering youth through education, mentorship, and community engagement, with the goal of shaping the next generation of leaders.