OUR WHY

At the YMCA Teen Center, we foster leadership and confidence
​in people so they will overcome life's challenges

OUR VISION

To elevate people's growth mindsets so we all achieve higher ambitions

OUR MISSION

To guide first-generation high school students so they will pursue and obtain a college education

PROGRAM HISTORY

In 2000, the Downtown Berkeley YMCA collaborated with UC Berkeley's Destination: College program to develop the Y-Scholars Program. The goal was to address the achievement gap at Berkeley High School.

In 2011, When the YMCA of the East Bay built the YMCA Teen Center in Berkeley, the Y-Scholars Program found a new home base. Since our first graduating class in 2004, over 600 Y-Scholars have graduated from the program and enrolled in college.