About Us
Our Story
The Youth Connection began after the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation wanted to help make big cities healthier and safer, especially for young people. They created the Urban Health Initiative, choosing 20 cities to apply for funding. After visits and planning, five cities — including Detroit — received grants to support youth health and safety.
Then, Our Journey began….
Timeline of Our Journey
Detroit started The Youth Connection to make sure more kids had access to good after-school programs. The goal was for half of Detroit-area students to join quality programs that helped them learn and grow.
By 2005, The Youth Connection had become a trusted leader in youth development strategy across Detroit. Rather than offering direct programs, we focused on building partnerships, writing grants, and consulting with organizations to help them expand access to quality after-school opportunities. Through our leadership and coordination, Detroit saw a major increase in youth participation in safe, enriching programs — helping set the foundation for our next stage of growth.
In 2008, The Youth Connection grew beyond after-school advocacy to launch direct youth programming focused on workforce development. Through grants from the Detroit Workforce Development Department and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, we introduced The Youth Connection Career Academies, giving Detroit youth year-round opportunities to gain job skills, explore careers, and prepare for future success.
Today, The Youth Connection continues to evolve as a comprehensive hub for youth growth and family stability. We connect young people to education, employment, and enrichment while expanding access to essential resources that build stronger, healthier communities. From workforce readiness to wellness initiatives, we’re preparing Detroit’s youth not just for today — but for a lifetime of opportunity.