American Youth Council

The American Youth Council, Inc. is a Georgia 501 (c)(3) public charity, providing support to students and extracurricular programs in public and private middle schools and high schools. Our 'Stars for Life' programs are dedicated to the preservation of the dreams of children for a world of hope, love, joy, determination, and achievement. We strive to provide programs of excellence that engage the adult participants in childrens' lives in the celebration of the hard work and dedication of students as they prepare to enter the world.

AYC's student recognition programs are 'all-star' events that encompass a wide range of students who have made an extraordinary commitment to their schools and to themselves in both academics and extracurricular programs. Their coaches and teachers nominate them to participate in 'superbowl' style week long celebrations where invited colleges and universities are able to evaluate students who have excelled in their school careers, but who may not have had the opportunity to find higher education placement. As part of these events, the all-star students are paired with disadvantaged and homeless youth in ancillary celebrations such as the ‘Buddy Bowling’ and ‘Holiday For Hope’ programs, to model and engage all of the students in fellowship, character, leadership, and community service.

With coaches, parents, school administrators and teachers, AYC is developing the 'Academy for Engaged Citizenship'. To augment coaching and teaching disciplines, the program provides information and support for student development in character and leadership. We will convene experts in social strategies, community service, drug and alcohol intervention, safe driving, coaching and mentoring, and youth leadership to provide support teams for schools. These teams will assist coaches and teachers and parents in supporting their students' growth in leadership, both in their own schools and in peer-to-peer mentoring with other school groups.

The inaugural program of the Academy of Engaged Citizenship is G.O.A.L.S. (Going Over and Above in Leadership & Service).  Launched in 2010, it is a partnership with Cobb County HIgh School Sports programs, the Cobb Alcohol Taskforce, Cobb Prevention/Intervention, and the Cobb Sheriff's Department.  See the 'Events page for more details.

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