The Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center is a neighborhood approach to the revitalization and empowerment of a community in crisis. We provide a safe, nurturing environment committed to good citizenship and academic excellence.

Children & Youth , Youth Centers & Clubs

CollegeTrek Afterschool Program College preparation should not wait for high school. CollegeTrek starts at grade 3 in preparing students to adopt the skills needed to complete their journey to higher education. Our reading, writing, math and science labs and our poetry, world languages, field trips, sports and other activities are based on the A-G requirements needed at many institutions for high school graduation and college enrollment. Instruction is also based on California state content standards for grade level achievement. Students are encouraged to perform above grade level and to explore advanced studies in science and other disciplines. Academic instruction comprises the majority of our activities, with a minimum three hours of homework and tutoring available daily from 2-5pm, followed by sports and recreation from 5-6pm. Our Mission Possible tutorial labs are guided by our STEP model: Self-directed, Team-oriented, Experiential and Project-based. Students receive assignments based on their grade levels, projects to demonstrate their assignments, and drills based on their individual needs. The project-based learning approach teaches the arts of critical thinking, investigation and analysis. In addition, all students in grades 3-12 complete a College Plan outlining their plans for higher education. College Days are held on the first Friday to introduce our kids to college life and career choices. Plans are underway to expand our CollegeTrack program to be held at the center for students starting at grade 9. All afterschool teachers are either college graduates or students. Interns from schools including USC, Pepperdine and Los Angeles Community College also volunteer to provide additional support and mentors for our students. Other services include transportation, which is available from several public school campuses in South Los Angeles and Inglewood. Students engage in financial literacy through the Wooten Bank, which teaches how to save and write checks using their Wooten Dollars earned for participation in class Summer Fun Camp Summer Fun Camp is an 8-week, full-day program providing academic enrichment and recreational activities for boys and girls ages 8-14. CollegeTrack College Readiness Program CollegeTrack provides free SAT-prep instruction and one-on-one advisement and workshops for completing college, financial aid and scholarship applications and high school graduation requirements. Visits to college campuses and financial aid workshops for students and parents are also provided at no cost. SAT classes and college advisement are provided at area high schools in day classes and afterschool. CollegeTrack instructors are college graduates who have achieved high scores on the SAT and who are sensitive to the needs of our students, many of whom represent the first generation in their family to attend college. In June 2011, 199 CollegeTrack students graduated from high school and enrolled in a college or university, some 90% to a 4-year institution. Street Soldiers Street Soldiers is a discussion group presenting ways to avoid gang activity, to lead safe and productive lives.

Boys and girls in grades 3-12

South Los Angeles area