To empower and strengthen high-need Asian youth and their families by providing comprehensive youth development through education, employment training, advocacy, and other support service.

Community Youth Center was incorporated in 1970 as a public benefit corporation. Our founders (Ling-Chi Wang, Rolland Lowe, and Gordan J. Lau) were concerned about the manner in which problems associated with Chinatown (a population density second only to Manhattan's, substandard housing, language difficulties and unemployment) were affecting the area's Asian youth. The problems manifested themselves through difficulties in school and conflicts within the family over acculturation issues. Of particular concern was the dramatic increase in crimes committed by Asian youth, both as individuals and as gang members.

Today, CYC continues to respond to the complex challenges faced by its clients, issues such as family conflict over acculturation, difficulties in school, economic hardship, and gang membership, through its many programs. These programs include substance abuse prevention, domestic violence education and prevention, higher education/financial aid counseling, and services assisting recently arrived immigrants as they transition into the public school system. CYC is also a site for the County Community Day School, where youth referred by the juvenile justice system and the school district can complete their GED or work toward their high school diploma. We also conduct city-wide parent counseling and empowerment training programs for Chinese immigrant parents.