GulfSouth Youth Action Corp

The mission of GYAC is to engage, empower and inspire community-focused youth leadership in America. The Youth Corps will demonstrate and build the leadership and the ability to change communities by developing cadres of youth leaders and philanthropists. GYAC will provide mentoring and tutoring services to youth, while working to increase parental involvement, volunteerism, leadership, and civic engagement. Desperation for youth programs gave birth to the formation of the Gulfsouth Youth Action Corps, which evolved to provide relief to the New Orleans Recreation Department, after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita ravished the Gulf coast region. The Gulfsouth Summer Youth Action Corps started as a service comprised of a national network of college students who are decided to rebuilding youth services and opportunities in the hurricane affected region. Corps members commit to a summer of service engaging, inspiring and empowering local youth. The success of the Gulfsouth Youth Action Corps in rebuilding youth programs in New Orleans did not go unnoticed. The Corporation for National and Community Service recognized the innovative work of the Gulfsouth Youth Action Corps, providing the resources and support through AmeriCorps to expand this program nationally. This year, partnerships with the Prichard Alabama Housing Authority, Atlanta Recreation Department, and MIles College of Birmingham, Alabama have been central to the expansion of GYAC in three major cities across two states.