Since 2000
Mission and Purpose
To remain a youth-initiated "intervention" organization that identifies short term projects to reach long term goals. To focus on fundamental causes of at-risk, high-risk and gang-risk behaviors in youth and provide member-driven growth opportunities in financial independence, educational excellence, and societal restoration. To remain relevant as we help build capacity using measurable successes for youth and their families to create safer, healthier and more connected communities.

History and Timeline

We started our efforts on July 4th of 2006 when the state-funded Gang Risk Intervention Program (GRIP) dissolved. YStrive quickly grew from three high school founding members to over 300 youth members in just one year. YStrive continues to be the only independent, youth-run, volunteer-based, member-driven, gang intervention, 501(c)(3) organization in Santa Barbara County. 

2013

Our first Fundraiser of 2013 scores $1000. Thanks to Tony and Cosima Rincon with the help from the Uptown Lounge our host for our 1st Annual Superbowl Raffle. The First Prize was a trip to Hawaii for two. YStrive provided over 30% of its funding on its own, with nearly 15% coming from relevant fundraising activities. 

2012

YStrive for Youth, INC. begins work on its 5 year report on the sustainability of a youth-run organization. Thanks to the Towbes Foundation and the Fund for Santa Barbara for their grant awards. Contributions are needed to complete this project so please use Donate Button above. 
Testimonial Videos
Please take a few minutes to view some of our testimonials on YouTube using this button. 
Viva La Fiesta Fundraiser gross $13,000 with help from the J.S. Bower Foundation, Jim and Karen Torgeson, Friendship Baptist Church, Chris Fischer, FUND for Santa Barbara, Nancy Rapp,  Councilwoman Cathy Murillo and all our volunteers for your support to help ourselves.
12th Annual Unity In Our Community  Youth Retreat 2012. YStrive's youth retreats have reached over 3,600 youth and provided over 100,000 hours of Community Service.

2011

Excellence In Education Partnership
One of our EiEP Student Incentive trips. This on is to Boomers to ride the Go Carts, climb walls, play arcade games and miniature golf.
Our First Annual Fiesta Booth Fundraiser. Chef Torgy's Famous Tri-Tip Sandwiches and Ice Cream
Santa Barbara Police Department Officers meets with YStrive at its 11th Annual "Unity In Our Community" Peace Circle gathering. YStrive came out of the Pro-Youth Coalition which established the Peace Circle in Montecito, California.

2010

The Employment Development Department (EDD) giving a presentation for us at La Cuesta High School as a guest speaker of YStrive's 4REAL Project. 4REAL is a 4-Step "Real Employment Achievement Learning" Project that includes job-readiness with real job interviews, job-training in real businesses and job placement through partnerships with locally-owned businesses.

2009

4REAL Summer Construction Learning Project at Friendship Baptist Church. YStrive members learned how-to with hands-on. From project research, gathering community support, training by local professionals and project management YStrive completed this project with 80% donated and recycled materials. Thank you Channel City Lumber, Home Depot and Workforce Investment Board. More pictures on Training page.

2008

Fishing trip with All For One Youth Mentoring Program, one of our many collaborative field trips. Pictured is Joseph L. one of our "fisherman" RIP Matt.

2007

Dr. Julie Carlson (UCSB) welcomes families to our 2nd Annual Excellence in Education Partnership (Project Excel) Dinner Fundraiser. We have a 95% High School graduation rate. EiEP provides educational mentors to students starting in the 5th grade.
"Don't Hate the Player" Annual Handball Tournament, Inter-Neighborhood Championship with Santa Barbara West-side and East-side and Goleta youth. This tournament was held in April, only a month after the March 2007 stabbing on State street. There were not incidents of violence at this event between youth from the East-side and West-side.
Shalhoobs Meat Company - YStrive brings Community Day School Students to a Community BBQ with Assitant Principal, Bonnie Switach and School Teacher Mwei Banks.
"Don't Hate the Player" Handball Tournament held in Carpinteria. Preliminary winners in the three age groups.

2006

Our 1st Annual EiEP (Project Excel) Dinner and Fundraiser held at the Franklin Neighborhood Center. EIEP founder Babatunde and former SBCC Transfer Achievement Program Director, Francisco Dorame.
Our 1st Valedictorian. La Cuesta High Graduation Ceremony.
Official Logo Contest winning designed by a high student and drawn by her teen-aged brother. One of the first motions carried by the newly formed Board of Directors and the Youth Advisory Boards.

FOUNDING MEMBERS

From the start our Founders shared roles and responsibilities. They worked together as office staff, outreach coordinators, event planners and program assistants, alternating roles as needed.
Founding youth
FOUNDERS: Isme, Judie and Gera

2005

Our 1st EiEP Educational Support Meeting with the Founding Students, Parents and Community Members.
Peace Circle at Casa De Maria

2004

1st Free Neighborhood Barbecue sponsored by Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Youth Program.
4th Annual "Unity In Our Community" Youth Retreat at Rancho Oso. Thanks to Karena Jew and Sojourner Kincaid Rolle 

2001-2003

Roberta Payan and Pro-Youth Coalition build G.R.I.P. (more pictures soon)
Our 2nd Annual "Unity In Our Community" Youth Retreat.

2000

Peace Circle at our first "Unity In Our Community" Gang Risk Intervention Program (GRIP)/YStrive Annual (3 day) Youth Retreat.
We are thankful for all of our contributors
Aamco
 
Alma R. Hernandez

Albertson's Markets

All Saints by the Sea

AllforOne

Amanda Hernandez

Arosha Silkscreen

Babatunde Folayemi

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream

 Blenders In The Grass

Carl's Jr Restaurants

Center for Corrective Jaw Surgery

City of Santa Barbara

 Channel City Lumber

Casa de Maria

Chris Fischer

Christ the King Church

Circuit City
 
  Cool Hand Look

Comp USA

Cornelia Moore Foundation

Domino's Pizza

Douglas G. Murray, CPA

Employment Development Dept
 
Foodbank of Santa Barbara

 Franklin Neighborhood Center
 
Franklin School

Friendship Baptist Church

Gelson's Market

Gene & Susan Sung

Giovanni's Pizza

Hayward Lumber

Helen Terry

Hermanas Unidas, UCSB
 
Hernandez Landscaping

Hollywood Video

Holy Cross Church
 
Home Depot
 
J. Alan Machining

James S. Bower Foundation 
John & Bonnie Switack

Dr. Julie Carlson

J.Louis Watkins
 
Kathy Abney

Keith & Lena Terry

Kiwanis Club
 
L.E.A.D, UCSB
 
Lee & Associates Consulting

La Cuesta High School
 
Last Chance Cafe Catering

Kirk & Lauri Michel

Longs Drugs

Lunas Jumpers

MarBorg Industries

McDonald's Restaurants

Michael Towbes

Michael Wilds Oxford Academics

Mi Gente Youth Mentoring

Mission Linen
  
Mountain Construction

Nat and Elsie Mitchell
  
OfficeMax


Palabra

Play-It-Again Sports
  
Precision Auto
  
Primo Boxing

Princess Tanning Salon
  
Professional Consolidated Solutions

Pro-Youth Coalition

Quality Windows

Raab-Marguise Foundation

Ralph's Markets
  
Ricardo & Judith Lugo

Santa Barbara Foundation

Santa Barbara Handball Club
  
Santa Barbara
Juvenile Services

Santa Barbara Teen Legal Clinic

Scolaris Food Market
 
Shalhoobs Meat Company
 
Smart & Final
  
South Coast Church

Staples

Steve Morris Driving School
  
Take-One Video Productions
  
The FUND for Santa Barbara
  
Tony and Cosima C. Rincon

Towbes Foundation
 
Trader Joe's
  
TW Construction

UC Santa Barbara

Uptown Lounge

Venoco, Inc.
  
Vons Markets

Westside Boys and Girls Club

Wilderness Youth Project 

Workforce Investment Board 

Youth CineMedia

Youth Employment Opportunity

Youth Making Change
Picture
"because giving up is not an option"
Site designed and maintained by members
PO BOX 41641
Santa Barbara, California 93140
Office (805) 576-7627