We CU Community Partner Spotlight: Angel's Youth Center

We CU and the School of Social Work’s Community Learning Lab partner with approximately one hundred community organizations each year. In the Community-Partner Spotlight, a partner answers three questions about their organization’s mission and community impact.    

This week, we are featuring our community partner Angel’s Youth Center (AYC)! Angel’s Youth Center is committed to helping young people achieve their full potential by bridging the socio-economic gap and empowering families. They provide comprehensive youth development services in a diverse and caring environment that sets a foundation to empower, build confidence, and self‐esteem.  They also work to address community gun violence.  

We CU Scholars have assisted with tutoring, organizing after school programming, grant writing, managing social media, and creating and employing evaluation tools to measure organizational participation and growth. 

In this feature Angelica Johnson, the president of AYC, encourages more UIUC students to participate in the effort to engage with students of diverse backgrounds and to open their minds to what opportunities are available to them. 

You can follow the Angel’s Youth Center on Facebook 

What advice do you have for University of Illinois students who are interested in getting involved in the community?  

We encourage and advise UIUC students to become a part and get involved with the youth in our community, getting involved with the AYC Students and team, because it allows the children to engage with the students whether it be through tutoring or mentorship programs. It allows the youth to open their minds to what other options are available to them.    

What inspires you about our community?   

 Champaign‐Urbana is such a diverse community, that allows for positive interaction among individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. There are several leaders and organizations that plays a positive impact within our community.    

What do you want UIUC students to know about your organization?   

 Angel's Youth Center is a 501c‐3 nonprofit that gives the youth options in the community to enhance their educational and intellectual abilities. AYC partners with UIUC students to provide the youth in the community with tutoring and mentorship opportunities. We are also the leading story in our community making a great impact in our youth’s lives with WCIA Channel 3 news!