ABOUT EYC
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About EYC

Since 1986, the Endowment for Youth Committee has progressively reached out to the community to provide youth with opportunities to reach excellence in key areas of development, putting them in a position to achieve their dreams and reach their goals.

While the EYC remains committed to helping all youth and their families, our programming and events place special emphasis on serving minority and disadvantaged youth in the Santa Barbara Community.

The EYC seeks to expose youth to new stimuli; enhancing interpersonal development, through social, physical, emotional and academic programming is a core principal in EYC programming.

Mission Statement
To improve the quality of life for youth in the California South Coast area from Goleta to Carpinteria, particularly African American, Native American and Latino youth by promoting and implementing educational, social, cultural and recreational achievement programs.

Vision Statement
"Expand the Endowment for Youth Committee into a stable and sustainable Santa Barbara non-profit agency providing youth leadership, social and personal development training to young people."

History
Endowment for Youth Committee originated out of a growing concern for the drug problem in our community. Families were perplexed and touched in one way or another by the problem, including my family. I began talking to friends and relatives to see what their feelings were in the matter, but being a Christian, I knew the only answer was God, so I asked Him to show me what to do.

With the support of Cliff Lambert and in mentioning this matter in the presence of Valencia Nelson, she offered the Franklin Center for our first parent meeting and assisted in communication within the city. Our first meeting was held October 29, 1986 with 36 parents in attendance, along with Detective Tom Miller of the Santa Barbara Police Department. After a few meetings, it was decided that we needed to raise the self-esteem among our children and one way to do this was to encourage them academically.

So EYC continues today. It is my desire that EYC will stand tall to create an environment that will afford our children an opportunity to grow in all areas, leading productive lives that will ensure a bright and prosperous future.

It is my prayer that God will use EYC to make a difference.

Melvin Richey
Founder