The Best Influencers Have Few Followers: How Parenting Impacts Middle Schoolers
At Youth Life Center of The Arts (YLC), we empower tweens and teens (ages 9–15) to discover their unique voice, build confidence, and develop future-ready skills that will help them thrive in an ever-changing world.
Through interactive, arts-based enrichment programs, we go beyond traditional extracurricular activities to nurture creativity, leadership, and digital literacy—all in a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment. Our innovative programs are designed to help youth explore their passions, enhance their talents, and build essential life skills through hands-on experiences in the arts, technology, and personal growth.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are committed to accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment, ensuring that every young trailblazer has the tools and support they need to succeed.
✨ Join us in shaping the next generation of leaders, innovators, and creatives! ✨ Explore our NextGen Youth Trailblazer in Training experience today and see the difference we can make together!
Our mission is to empower youth to develop future-ready skills, including digital literacy, creativity, and leadership, so they can navigate and thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
To cultivate a generation of confident, creative, and community-minded youth who are prepared to lead, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing world.
Interactive environment that fosters creativity, prioritizing equality, inclusion, and access, to equip all youth with the tools they need to succeed in life.
Our organization is taking a bold step to refocus our mission and resources exclusively on an underserved demographics: tweens and teens.
TO CLAYTON and surrounding metro atlanta counties
At just 10 years old, Claressa Williams had a clear vision of her future. She dreamed of creating a place where children could have fun, dance, and, most importantly, feel safe. Decades later, as a mother of three incredible adult children, that dream never wavered—it lived on in her heart, waiting for the right moment to come to life.
That moment came when Bishop Diane Collins, Senior Pastor of Faith Walk Ministries Inc., reignited the spark of Claressa’s vision. Together, they brought the dream to fruition, successfully launching CampXpressions, a vibrant summer performing arts program hosted at Faith Walk Ministries.
This program is more than a summer camp—it’s the realization of a lifelong dream, a safe haven where children can express themselves, build confidence, and discover their creative potential. Outgrowing the church our first year, we were homeless as an organization.
Driven by an unwavering belief in her vision, Claressa Williams made a bold and selfless decision. Without a facility to bring her mission to life, she took a leap of faith, liquidating her personal assets in Los Angeles to invest in a greater purpose. She put it all on the line, purchasing our facility in Riverdale, GA—a place destined to become a beacon of hope.
“I sacrificed and reinvested my children’s inheritance,” she shares, “to fulfill the purpose for which I was created—to transform lives and create lasting impact for those destined to cross this path.”
Our impact spans across Clayton, Henry, Fayette, and Fulton Counties, reaching over 250 youth annually and touching the lives of four generations of children and families. The ripple effect of our programs extends far beyond their time with us—many who have aged out return as mentors, interns, and employees, carrying forward the vision, mission, and dream that define the Youth Life Center.
From our auditorium to the stages of Porter Sanford and the Clayton County Performing Arts Center, we empower young people through creative expression, arts-based education, life-skills development, and mentorship. These pillars are the foundation of the Youth Life Center experience—a transformative journey that equips young minds to thrive and inspires them to give back to their communities.
Our most profound impact came during one of the most challenging times in recent history—the COVID-19 pandemic. Through our Happy Bellies program, we faithfully served over 100,000 hot meals to children and provided groceries to families, five days a week. In a time of uncertainty and need, we became a beacon of hope and stability, solidifying our role as a vital pillar in the metro Atlanta community.
This unwavering commitment to service earned us the Association of Christian Ministries of Clayton County Community Service Award, a testament to the difference we made when it mattered most. The Youth Life Center’s Happy Bellies meal service shone as a light on Valley Hill, ensuring that no child or family was left behind during a time of crisis.
In the wake of COVID-19, our team of Youth Development Professionals is more dedicated than ever to empowering adolescents to find their voice and uncover their unique talents, gifts, and abilities. However, as schools reopened and life attempted to return to "normal," it became clear that our youth were in crisis—many grappling with the unseen scars of PTSD and struggling to regain their footing.
Recognizing this urgent need, we pivoted to prioritize mental health, social-emotional wellness, and academic support. The weight of the pandemic disrupted their natural growth, stunting progress and creating barriers to their success. We know that if we don’t meet our youth where they are, we risk building on broken foundations—leaving them unprepared to compete and thrive in an ever-evolving world.
At a critical time when tweens and teens are navigating life’s most pivotal transitions, The Youth Life Center of The Arts is launching a bold initiative to focus exclusively on this underserved and vulnerable population. The NextGen Creative Initiative is designed to address the unique challenges teens and tweens face, providing a safe, supportive space where they can explore their identities, develop their talents, and prepare for bright futures.
This initiative emphasizes the urgent need to target this age group—an age when self-expression, confidence, and a sense of purpose are most critical. Research shows that creative outlets and mentorship during adolescence significantly improve mental health, social-emotional skills, and long-term success. Yet, too many youth lack access to these transformative opportunities.
Our NextGen Trailblazing Creative Initiative is more than a program—it’s a call to action. By focusing on teens and tweens, we have the opportunity to shape the next generation of leaders, artists, and changemakers. Together, we can break down barriers, unlock potential, and ensure that every young person is prepared to compete and succeed in an ever-changing world.
Join us in building a future where every tween and teen has the tools, confidence, and support to transform their creativity into impact. The time to act is now.
Empower the Next Generation with Your Support!
At Youth Life Center of The Arts, we’re shaping the future by equipping NextGen Youth Trailblazers in Training with the skills, confidence, and creativity they need to thrive. Through arts, technology, and leadership programs, we empower tweens and teens to discover their unique voices, develop future-ready skills, and build a strong foundation for success.
But we can’t do it alone. Your donation fuels life-changing experiences—from self-discovery workshops to hands-on creative projects—that inspire and transform young lives.
💡 Every gift makes an impact. Whether big or small, your support helps us provide free and accessible programs that ensure ALL youth have the tools to succeed.
👉 Donate today and help us ignite the potential of the next generation!
Whether your student is a talented starlet ready to shine or a creative dreamer looking to open doors, they’ll find their place at the Youth Life Center of the Arts. Schedule your Family Orientation visit today to get started.