About The CYAC And It's History
Carlos Barragan Sr. training one of the CYAC boxers.
In 1997 local law enforcement and the San Diego District Attorney's Office noticed that CYAC had proven to be a realistic prevention, intervention and diversion measure for higher risk youth. They recognized this boxing program had been successful in providing an intelligent alternative to criminal behavior. They in turn have assisted with donating equipment and being mentors for the youth. That year a Board of Directors was created consisting of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, executive board and members at large. The board helped CYAC obtain it's internal revenue service code section 501 (c) (3) non-profit status in 1998.
CYAC is an all volunteer program operating year round. Participation in the program requires the youth to follow a strict code of conduct and behavior in the gym, home, school and the community. In addition to providing an athletic program, CYAC provides tutoring and mentoring programs for the youth. The youth are required to attend school and maintain their grades. CYAC is in contact with their teachers throughout the school year. The center averages 25 to 40 participants at all times. In the past year the center came in contact with over 2000 youth ages 8 to 18 years of age through our boxing tournaments.
Community Youth Athletic Center (CYAC) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the challenge of saving our youth by targeting higher risk youth in National City and surrounding areas. Since the youth come from low income and broken homes there is no charge to participants in the program. Our method of intervention is through amateur boxing and mentoring. Our goals include building self-confidence, developing discipline and learning about teamwork. We carefully monitor our participants through structured athletics and personal interaction supporting their efforts with positive encouragement and reinforcement.
A complete physical examination is required prior to licensing by USA Boxing. A one million-dollar insurance policy is issued by USA Boxing per participant. We start with basic boxing skills and allow each participant to develop at their own speed. We also have a structured physical fitness program developed specifically for each participant. They train 5 days per week, after school from 4:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Weekends are reserved for competition. We provide tutoring, mentoring and a donated computer used for our participants' homework. We also monitor our participants academically requiring that they provide us with school report cards.
We expose our participants to travel through the different cities and states where we attend competitions. We have regular structured outings to law enforcement agencies, courthouses and universities for the purpose of exposing them to higher education alternatives and the financial responsibilities that come with growing up.
It is through these services that our mission is met:
To provide underprivileged and at risk youth with a constructive alternative to self defeating behavior through an athletic and mentoring program.
We were providing services in a 400 square foot converted garage on the border of National City and San Diego. We were limited to 25 to 40 participants at any given time because of space and capacity building codes. In the last couple of months we turned away numerous candidates for the program because of our lack of space. We actively looked for a larger building to house the program. We have received a $100,000 dollar grant from UPS and a $170,000 grant from The Barona Band of Mission Indians. With these monies we have purchased a 3,709 square foot building located in National City. The address is 1018 National City Blvd. Now we are in desperate need of funds to refurbish the building and operating expenses.
A new gymnasium will have a positive impact in the quality of life for the youth of National City. We will no longer have to turn away anyone because of lack of space in the gym. A bigger and better facility will enable CYAC to provide opportunities that have not been available in the past years. The gymnasium will serve a population known to be under served by the absence of similar programs. CYAC has a proven track record and is in desperate need of building a gymnasium for the purpose of serving more youth of National City where 65% of the 54,249 residents are low income families and 81% minority.
Our goal is to serve as many youth in National City and the County of San Diego as we can.
