My 180 Youth Program, Inc.

Every young person deserves the chance to see what is possible for their future.

My 180 Youth Program was founded in 2012 to make sure that opportunity is not limited by access.

As our founder, Roy Jefferson saw firsthand how many youth, especially those facing social and economic challenges, lack access to opportunities that help them grow, explore their purpose, and build confidence. Too often, it is not a lack of potential, it is a lack of access.

That is where we step in.

Through mentoring relationships, we walk alongside youth ages 10 to 18, helping them discover who they are, where they belong, and how they can make an impact. Whether it is visiting college campuses, exploring career paths, building leadership skills, or simply having a consistent, trusted adult in their corner, these experiences change lives.

For many of the youth we serve, opportunities are limited not by ability, but by access. Without exposure to new experiences, it can be difficult for young people to see what their future could become.

This Give STL Day, we are raising support to continue opening doors for youth in our program. From college visits and career exploration to leadership development and mentoring relationships, these moments help young people build confidence, discover their purpose, and expand their vision.

Your support helps remove barriers by covering transportation, program materials, and access to these experiences at no cost to families.

We have seen young people go from uncertainty to direction, from limited exposure to expanded vision, and from being supported to becoming leaders in their own communities.

One example of how lives are being impacted is Caidyn Harris.

One of the young people we have had the privilege of working with is Caidyn Harris. When Caidyn joined My 180 Youth Program three years ago, he was quiet, passionate about art, and still trying to find where he fit.

Over time, he grew in confidence, found his voice, and developed a clear vision for his future. Today, Caidyn works at Faith Church in St. Louis in the Audio Visual Department. He will graduate from Lafayette High School in May 2026 and plans to attend Webster University to study Studio Arts and Audio Engineering.

When you give, you are helping a young person step into new opportunities and build a future they can believe in.

To see more of the lives being impacted through My 180 Youth Program, visit: https://www.my180yp.org/