About Us
History
City of Youth (COY) was founded in 2004 by Leslie Hagan-Morgan in direct response to the outstanding number of disadvantaged urban youth that were facing profound difficulty in the foster care system. COY redeveloped its mission to account for the rising number of youth that do not have the supportive resources. The urge to care for this forgotten population of young people evolved into specialized youth intervention and empowerment programming. The organization provides an array of developmental activities that began with team sports, but now includes high school diploma education, vocational capacity building, college preparedness and leadership development.
The newest addition to the organization, City of Youth Academy, enables COY to serve underprivileged youth with an enriching scholastic environment. The goal is to provide youth and families with a range of service-centered social and educational programs for building a strong mind, body and spirit. Our key academic partner, John Muir Charter School, provides our young people with an experiential social justice themed high school diploma component which is integral to our youth’s advancement
Our programs focus on cooperative and participatory teamwork that promotes success for individuals and families with intent to redirect them away from dependent mind-sets and destructive influences. In addition to personal and familial development, City of Youth is dedicated to improving life in the local community, and in turn having the local community become active entities of social change by helping other communities outside of their immediate surroundings.
Mission
The mission of the City of Youth is to intergenerationally impact South Los Angeles by enabling the youth we serve with the tools to make change in their lives and in the community, while simultaneously providing a platform for progressive, socially active educational environments for community stakeholders. Through experiential inquiry-based curricula that actively involves program participants both in and outside of the classroom and South Los Angeles community, students, staff AND external participants strengthen their academic, leadership, professional, social-emotional and critical thinking competencies with the goal of cultivating a more inclusive, participatory and just society.
Founder, Leslie Hagan-Morgan
About the Founder
A devoted son, husband, brother, friend, mentor, activist, his family, friends and God were his entire life and passion. Leslie spent over fifteen years in the 59th district. Throughout his impressive career, he continued to inspire, encourage and reform the way the community receives educational opportunities, economic benefits and giving second chances to those society had written away as unviable. Leslie stated, “It is a strategic effort to sit in a position that allows me the advantage to fight, advocate and win for the community and people that have helped raise me, feed me, encourage me and pushed me to be the man that I am today.” He wholeheartedly advocated for everyone who was in need.
Les was extremely devoted to implementing tools of success in underserved communities. In 2004, just transitioning into his early twenties, he founded City of Youth, a non-profit organization in South Los Angeles designed to help youth and young adults graduate high-school, receive collegiate opportunities and learn valuable skills to become the next generation of leaders.
Leslie also owned two charter schools, was a natural born athlete and loved to play basketball, football and coach youth. He additionally pioneered a beautification project with the youth with resulted in a community garden for the 59th district. Les shared, “Due to growing up in the 59th district of South LA, I was ignited with a passion to do the work that needed to be done and to strive to be the first one to show up to make sure it was done right.” Indeed he enthusiastically and humbly showed up each and every time. It was vital for him to show up consistently and be reliable to his friends, family and community. Les had a truly remarkable gift of connecting with many different people from all over the world. He saw the value and worth of each individual.
