Community plans for Pasadena Youth Center (PYC) began to formulate in 1995, in response to dramatic increase in local youth violence and high school drop-out out rates. Youth and adults came together to form the Pasadena Youth Center Collaborative, to conduct community focus groups and youth summits to identify the needs.

Among the greatest need was said to be a supervised drop-in center, where youth could feel safe, accepted and involved.  Youth older than fifteen, listed 'jobs' as their primary need.  

PYC was, therefore, established in 2001 as a 501 c(3), non-profit, community-based organization.  Our goals are to help youth succeed, with programs designed to enhance academic, social and professional  competence, while learning valuable life and job skills.  

PYC has been instrumental in assisting hundreds of youth, on the verge of failing in school, progress to the next grade level, complete high school, identify and implement career plans, enter college or trade training and secure employment.  

Our Partners

To accomplish our goals, PYC partners with the following institutions and businesses: 

Pasadena Unified School District  www.pusd.us                                                 Pasadena City College www.pasadena.edu                                Armory Center for the Arts www.armoryarts.org                                      Art Center College of Design www.artcenter.edu                                  Foothill Employment & Training Connection www.foothilletc.org                                       The Pasadena Weekly www.pasadenaweekly.com                         The Castle Press             www.castlepress.com                                 PCAC Channel 56                www.pasadena56.tv                                 South Lake Business Association www.southlakeavenue.org

Who We Are

Stella R. Murga: Founder; Executive Director since September 2001.  Stella was selected as one of eight Pasadena/Altadena individuals “Making A Difference” in the lives of teens by the Pasadena Weekly, 02/07/06. 

Stella has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business & Management; Master of Science Degree in Public Administration.

Veronica De La Rosa is PYC's Program Manager and Conference Administrator.

Veronica has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics.   

PYC is able to accomplish all that we do with the help of our Board of Directors and the many dedicated volunteers who serve on our AML and AYM Advisory Boards - to all of them we say "THANK YOU!!"