ABOUT CYAC

The seeds of Community Youth Athletic Center were sown in 1991 in the San Diego community of National City. Then, CYAC was a grassroots backyard gym, with an old pair of gloves and a homemade boxing ring. The CYAC founders believed that, in order to make a difference for many of National City’s youth, something “out of the box” had to be created.

This “out of the box” program was to give youth what they seek through gang membership (acceptance, challenging activities and a place to belong) in an alternative, socially positive environment. The vision was to bring individuals together from all walks of life — law enforcement, business sector and community residents — to make a change in the lives of inner-city kids and bring about the CYAC philosophy of “making a difference, one round at a time.”

In 1997, local law enforcement and the San Diego District Attorney’s Office noticed the Community Youth Athletic Center had proven to be a realistic prevention, intervention and diversion measure for at-risk youth. They recognized this youth program had been successful in providing an intelligent alternative to criminal behavior. They in turn have assisted with donating equipment, providing positive outings and serving as mentors. That year a board of directors was created and in 1998, CYAC obtained its 501(c)(3) non-profit status.