Youth and Family Center

Youth & Family Center was founded in 1888 to support residents of St. Louis to achieve their full potential. Our vision was then, and is still, for every youth, senior, and family to have the necessary resources to live healthy, stable, and independent lives in a safe and vibrant community. Today, YFC reaches thousands of people of all ages across St. Louis and nearby in Illinois. Our programs educate, advocate, build job skills, and support healthy living across generations. As a community stabilizer, we strive to meet evolving community needs. Multiple institutions and community funders partner with YFC because we demonstrate capacity to empower community and serve as a resource connector year after year. Our programs include:
Afterschool Program (Monday- Friday 2:30-6:30pm) These involve serving a snack and warm meal, tutoring/homework assistance, computer education, arts & crafts, sports teams, fitness and nutrition classes, and programs focusing on the development of self-esteem and life skills that prevent bullying, drug use, and teen pregnancy. Freedom School (Monday- Friday 8am-5pm)
The CDF Freedom Schools® program aims to support our country’s most marginalized learners. CDF Freedom Schools sites serve predominantly low-income children of color. This added support for the children in the Near North Side communities can drastically improve their educational outcomes. Before school, after-school, and summer learning opportunities complement the traditional school day in a number of ways, providing a range of academic and social-emotional support that extend the impact of the school day. In 2019, nearly 85 percent of Freedom Schools participants either improved or maintained their reading skills over the course of the six-week program and avoided the summer learning loss often suffered by children not participating in summer enrichment. The program will be offered free of charge to the Near North Side community. It will also be conducted in partnership with local Universities and will offer internships and volunteer opportunities to collegiate students looking to create positive change and impact in our region. The center’s Jazzy Senior Program (Mondays and Thursdays 10-1pm) is designed to combat hunger while providing social interaction, health and wellness activities, and address end of life concerns for adults 55 years and older. Food Pantry and Food distributions Tuesdays and Thursdays. On behalf of the youth and families we serve, our staff, and board members, thank you for all of your support and donations.