YouthLaunch's Vision is that all young people develop skills, confidence, and resiliency through empowering service experiences and grow into healthy, active, and community-minded citizens.

The Mission of YouthLaunch is to provide empowering service opportunities for young people.

Did You Know?

Youth who volunteer:

  • Contribute the equivalent of $34.4 billion worth of work to the US economy
  • Are more likely to vote, graduate from high school, and be philanthropic
  • Are 50% less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol and tobacco or engage in destructive behavior

After engaging in service, youth increase their:

  • Personal and social responsibility
  • Educational and social competence
  • Self-esteem and efficacy

YouthLaunch History

  • 1994: YouthLaunch is founded under the name PAN America (Peer Assistance Network of America) to provide advocacy and support for the concept of empowering youth through peer to peer service in schools across the country.
  • 2000: Recognizing the need to expand beyond community service in the school environment, YouthLaunch begins a five-year partnership with four Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in Texas to support effective training and retention of teen mentors. In addition, YouthLaunch begins offering environmental service opportunities for students in Texas.
  • 2003: YouthLaunch is chosen as the Texas Field Office for Earth Force, a national organization that engages young people in the improvement of environment and communities, now and in the future.
  • 2004: The organization is re-named YouthLaunch to better represent the expanded scope of the mission.
  • 2006: Russell A. Smith, LMSW becomes Executive Director of YouthLaunch

    About H. Grant Thomas, YouthLaunch Founder

    YouthLaunch Founding Board