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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
  • 2006: YouthLaunch's No Kidding program is awarded a 5-year $1.2 million "Promoting Responsible Fatherhood" grant through the US Department of Health & Human Services.
  • 2006: YouthLaunch's No Kidding program is awarded the "Outstanding Emerging Innovation Award" from the Healthy Teen Network
  • 2007: YouthLaunch develops Urban Roots to engage under-served youth on an urban, organic farm.
  • 2008: Urban Roots is recognized with the Westcave Preserve Award for Collaboration at the first "Celebration of Children in Nature"
  • 2009: YouthLaunch's Urban Roots program is selected as an Impact Austin grantee ($102,000 for the program over two years).
  • 2009: YouthLaunch's Urban Roots program is awarded a 3-year, $300,000 grant from the US Department of Agriculture's Community Food Projects.
  • 2011: Fritz Fitzpatrick becomes Executive Director of YouthLaunch.

    About H. Grant Thomas, YouthLaunch Founder

    YouthLaunch Founding Board
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