“If we are to solve our social Problems, Children and youth must play a pivotal role in the process.” -jean childs young

The Jean Childs Young Institute for Youth leadership was a non-profit organization created to promote youth leadership in the metro Atlanta area. This advocacy work was done in collaboration with its sister organization Kids 4 A Change, a council of youth representatives. Together they improved the quality of life of children through spearheading numerous outreach projects. This included conferences, public forums, life skills classes and many other educational services. The inspiration behind the inception of the institute was Jean Childs Young, wife of notable Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, and fervent advocate for the equal access of education for all children. Jean Childs Young and Co-chair Lucy Vance established the organization in 1991. It was originally called the Atlanta/Fulton Commission on Children & Youth until it became The Jean Childs Young Institute. Eventually this title was also replaced by the Fulton County Youth Commission. The accomplishments of the Jean Childs Young Institute include the 2002-2003 M.L.K, Jr. Youth Conference, the compilation of 700 teacher surveys from students attending 17 metro high schools, the distribution of 450 school Survival Kits to 9th graders at Marta’s Five Points Station, the creation of a training program for elementary school boys on “Being a Champion of Justice”, the facilitation of the “City-Wide Youth Jam 7 Forum: What Comes 2Gether Stays 2Gether” with Mayor Shirley Franklin, and the Gun Give Back event used to campaign against gun violence.

Information found in JCYI brochure.