Giving Youth A Chance (GYAC) is a non-profit 501 c(3) organization dedicated to the academic, social and mental development of young people throughout Shelby County and surrounding areas. We know that our strength lies not only in the words we stand by, but most importantly through the actions of our initiatives. Founded in 2002, GYAC meets the nutritional needs of at-risk youth during their most vulnerable times; after school and summer vacation. We are contracted with the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to administer the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
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EXPANDING THE NEED:
Giving Youth A Chance understands that a nutritious meal is just one of the many challenges at-risk youth face, and we are committed to building strategic networks and enrichment programs that will help advance our community. We see the value in everyone and want to be a catalyst for positive change. Since our beginning in 2002, GYAC has been driven by the same ideas we initially founded our non profit organization upon: support, empowerment, and progress which is why we offer the following resources in addition to our feeding program:
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· Local Angel Tree sponsor by providing gifts and meals to more than 100 families.
· Expanded services to Mississippi through partnership with the State of Mississippi Department of Education, Acona Community, and Church of God in Christ successfully providing more than 1,000 meals daily to children in need through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
Get Involved
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Ralph Waldo Emerson
By partnering with us and becoming a sponsored site you have the opportunity to provide a location where GYAC will serve meals to children and ensure that qualified programs (i.e., tutoring, life skills, or any enrichment activity) is offered.Â
Schools, Churches, Housing Projects, Neighborhood Centers, and Community Organizations are all eligible to become a sponsored site.
SEE LIST OF CURRENT GYAC SPONSORED SITES BELOW:
American Way Middle School | Bernal E. Smith Boys & Girls Club | Craigmont Boys & Girls Club | Douglass High School | Gospel Gardens Apartments | Grandview Heights Middle School | Hamilton High School | Ira Samelson, Jr. Boys & Girls Club | John D. Buckman Boys & Girls Club | Manassas High School | Memphis Business Academy (Berclair, Hickory Hill, Overton Crossing) | Memphis Dangerous Pantherettes | Memphis STEM Academy (Frayser) | Mitchell High School | New Horizon Apartments | Oakhaven Boys & Girls Club | Porter Goodwill | Raleigh Egypt Middle/High School | Repairing The Breach | Riverview Community Center | Streets Ministries (Graham, Vance) | Summit Park Apartments | Sycamore View Boys & Girls Club