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, 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.