🌟 12 Years of Impact: A Legacy of Empowerment & Equity

Since 2013, Youth Community Agency (YCA) has been deeply rooted in Detroit and beyond—serving as a catalyst for transformation, empowerment, and generational change. From grassroots beginnings to regional and international expansion, we continue to lead with purpose and compassion.

📌 2013

YCA is Founded in Detroit
Launched with a mission to support underserved youth and teen moms through advocacy, education, and direct support.

📌 2015

GED Prep & Completion Partnerships Begin
Collaborated with local agencies to connect teen mothers to academic support and GED programming.

📌 2017

Hotdogs for HOPE Project is Born
Launched our signature 4th of July community outreach event—feeding individuals experiencing homelessness across Metro Detroit.

Christmas in the City: Adopt-a-Family Project
Began our annual holiday initiative to bring joy, gifts, and essential resources to families in need.

📌 2019

Macomb County Expansion
Expanded programming into Macomb County, forming new partnerships to reach more young families and underserved communities.

📌 2020

COVID-19 Response & Virtual Support Services
Adapted quickly to launch virtual wellness programs and wraparound services to continue serving youth and families during the pandemic.

Housing Project Launched for Teen Moms
Established our transitional housing program focused on teen moms aging out of foster care in Metro Detroit.

📌 2022

Education Programming Launched
Formalized our educational offerings with GED classes, academic coaching, and digital learning tools for teen moms and young women.

📌 2023

First International Initiative – Girls’ Sports Team in Senegal
Provided uniforms, hydration, and seasonal support to empower girls through basketball and teamwork overseas.

📌 2024

Idlewild Community Alliance Established
Expanded our reach into rural Michigan with the launch of the ICA, focusing on land use, legacy preservation, and intergenerational healing.

500+ Families Served
Surpassed a major milestone in serving over 500 families across Metro Detroit with housing, food, education, and wellness support.

📌 2025

Clean Energy & Environmental Justice Milestone
Launched our Solar Charging Station + Clean Air Project on Detroit’s Eastside in partnership with Mogul Life Business Clinic, advancing access to green infrastructure and sustainability.

Launch of Queens Success Academy (QSA)
Expanded our education model with Queens Success Academy, a Micro Adult Education program designed to help teen moms and non-traditional students complete their GED, gain career readiness, and develop entrepreneurial skills through flexible, holistic, and skill-focused learning.

📖 Today, YCA stands as a multi-county, multi-sector force for equity, education, housing security, wellness, workforce development, and environmental justice—lifting up teen moms and families across Detroit, Macomb County, Idlewild, and beyond.

Urban Land & Environmental Impact

At Youth Community Agency (YCA), we understand that access to land is access to power — and healing. Our work across Metro Detroit and Idlewild centers on the belief that food justice, land ownership, and environmental stewardship are critical tools in the fight against generational poverty.

Through our Urban Land & Environmental Impact initiatives, we activate vacant and underutilized land into thriving spaces for urban farming, community engagement, and economic opportunity.

This work also extends to our clean energy advocacy, including collaborative efforts like the Frankfort YCA Mobility Hub—a solar-powered, community-based innovation launched in partnership with Mogul Life Business Clinic. This hub integrates solar charging, transit mapping, and public seating, demonstrating how environmental justice and green infrastructure can empower underserved neighborhoods.

These transformative efforts would not be possible without the dedicated support and advocacy of our partners. We offer our sincerest thanks to Mogul Life Business Clinic for standing with us as we expand green spaces, implement solar solutions, and create equitable pathways to land use and economic mobility for the families we serve.

Together, we’re not just growing gardens — we’re growing futures.
Together, we’re not just innovating solar solutions — we’re lighting the way for a greener Detroit.

Food & Environmental Sustainability

Food is more than nourishment — it’s access, education, and empowerment.

At Youth Community Agency (YCA), we are on a mission to combat food insecurity through sustainable, community-driven solutions that reconnect families with healthy food, environmental awareness, and self-reliance.

Our food justice programming doesn’t just feed families — it equips them with the knowledge and tools to grow, harvest, and prepare nutritious meals, transforming food deserts into hubs of health and hope.

Program Highlights

Urban Community Gardens (Education Launching October 2025)
We envision our gardens as we expand, them across Detroit to serve as vibrant green space and living classrooms where youth and families learn to grow their own food. Starting October 2025, we’ll launch an interactive garden education program, blending hands-on learning with wellness, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.

Mobile Market Program (Expanding in 2026)
We’re rolling out seasonal mobile markets to bring fresh produce directly into food-insecure neighborhoods, bridging the gap between access and affordability while supporting local growers.

Youth-Led Farming Projects (Launching Spring 2026)

Join our work in food justice and green living — because healing starts with what we grow together.

Regional Impact

Youth Community Agency (YCA) believes that impact knows no boundaries. While our primary mission is rooted in Metro Detroit, our reach and compassion extend far beyond. Our regional initiatives reflect a deep commitment to community, sisterhood, and global solidarity.

International Youth Support – Senegal Basketball Girls Initiative

YCA proudly supports a grassroots youth basketball program for girls in Senegal — providing jerseys, healthy snacks, hydration, and community support throughout their season.

Why It Matters:

This partnership empowers young girls to stay active, build confidence, and develop teamwork skills in a region where access to sports resources can be limited. It’s our way of standing in global sisterhood with young women whose resilience mirrors that of our Detroit youth.

Impact Highlights:

• Donated team uniforms and basketball gear
  
  

• Covered hydration and nutritious snacks for the season
  
  

• Fostered cultural exchange between YCA Detroit youth and Senegalese girls

Youth Community Agency transformed my life, offering support and hope during challenging times as a young mom in Detroit.

Maria T.

★★★★★