By experiencing 5 specific promises, they are 5 to 10 times more likely to succeed as students, citizens, parents, and employees.

Youth First adopted the national framework known as America’s Promise which was created by Retired General Colin L. Powell. This framework promotes the five essential ingredients – the 5 Promises that youth need to be successful in life:
(1) safe places (2) caring adults (3) effective education (4) a healthy start and (5) opportunities to serve. These are OUR PROMISES to all children in our community.

By ensuring that youth are given the opportunity to consistently experience these promises, YFCoP and its supporting members are building a future where youth are more likely to succeed academically, socially, and civically, regardless of ethnic or economic boundaries.

Youth First is the only neighborhood based after school program in our community. Our at-risk youth are eager for a place they can go to when school is not in session and our parents rely on the safe and structured programming they know their youth are involved in.

We currently operate three neighborhood centers in Andover, Anoka and Ramsey, for youth in 6th - 12th grade. We provide FREE programs which operate four days a week after school at each site, as well as summer programming to create a continuous stream of services for youth and their families. Every day incorporates a minimum of 30 minutes of homework. We are aware of each student’s academic needs and actively engage them, as well as their families, in achieving school success.