Claim the life
that you desire
YLB is a youth program funded by Escambia Children’s Trust
About Us
Welcome to Youths Left Behind Corp, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization: Forging Stronger Futures, One Rising Leader at a Time!
Hey there, young champions! Ready to rewrite your story and tackle tough challenges head-on? Join us in the fight against gun violence while discovering the secrets to mental resilience. All while building a community of friends and mentors alike. Your journey to empowerment, mentorship, and a supportive community starts here!
#GunViolenceStopsWithMe
Katrina Johnson-Hills
Director of Youths Left Behind
Meet Our New Director!
Katrina Johnson-Hills's dedication to YLB over the last 4 years has been instrumental to our success.
Mission Statement
To create a respectful and responsible community
Here are the facts..
30%
Research indicates that approximately 30% of youth homicides involve gang-related activity. At-risk youth are more likely to be recruited into gangs or become involved in gang conflicts, increasing their exposure to gun violence.
100+
On average, more than 100 Americans are killed with guns every day. This includes a combination of homicides, suicides, and accidents involving firearms.
Nathaniel Calloway
Blazer Academy Graduate
- YouthsLeftBehind Mentor/ Mentee
- Maintained a 4.0 GPA the entire 2025-2026 school year
Christopher Fairley
Blazer Academy Graduate
- YouthsLeftBehind Mentor/ Mentee
- Maintained a 4.0 GPA the entire 2025-2026 school year
What to expect when becoming a part of Youths Left Behind
Peer group empowerment
Diversity, inclusion & Equality
The five principles
ABOUT OUR PEER EMPOWERMENT GROUP
Peer Group Empowerment is a year round course that meets every Tuesday from 6 PM – 8:30 PM. Yes, every week! Upon completion of this course each youth must write a 1 page essay on: What I learned from YLB’S Peer Empowerment Group and why I should graduate. After graduation, our graduates will receive job placement assistance, a certificate of completion, a gift, and be a upstanding citizen of our community. Graduates of the YLB program are more than welcome and encouraged to keep attending our weekly groups.
SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN
- SOFT AND HARD SKILLS
- CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
- POSITIVE ATTITUDE
- STRONG WORK ETHIC
- BEING A TEAM PLAYER
- GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- ABILITY TO ACCEPT CRITISICIM
- SELF CONFIDENCE
- TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS
- LEARN TO PARTICIPATE IN GROUP TOPICS AMONGST PEERS
- & SO MUCH MORE!
THE STOP METHOD
- S - STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING OR ABOUT TO DO.
- T - THINK OF THE OUTCOME AND CONSEQUENCES.
- O - OBSERVE YOUR SURROUNDINGS
- P - PERFORM THE RESPECTFUL & RESPONSIBLE ACTION.
A peek inside Youths Left Behind
Success Stories
The YLB program | The breakdown
Welcome to Youths Left Behind, where every young man is a future leader in the making! Our doors are open year-round, offering empowering mentorship sessions every Tuesday for males aged 9-18.
At Youths Left Behind, we’re not just about teaching – we’re about transforming lives. Our program goes beyond a typical classroom, guiding each young man on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
In our sessions, we tackle tough topics like gun violence head-on, equipping our youth with the knowledge and skills to protect their futures by championing their present. We provide the essential building blocks for becoming exemplary citizens of our community, fostering values of respect, responsibility, and resilience.
But our commitment doesn’t stop there. Graduates of our program are encouraged to stay connected, joining our thriving community of friends and mentors and keep coming to our groups every week, even after graduating. Here, they find a safe space to share, learn, and grow, supported by mentors who’ve walked a tough path and emerged stronger.
Beyond mentorship, we offer practical support. Our clubhouse serves as a hub for academic success, providing homework help and mentorship in school subjects and beyond. Plus, we ensure our members are well-fed, and have a good time while learning these important lessons. Plus, we offer safe transportation to and from group for all students if needed.
Twice a year, we celebrate our youths’ achievements with a graduation ceremony. Each graduate receives a certificate of completion, a gift and, more importantly, a renewed sense of purpose and optimism for the future.
At Youths Left Behind, we understand that ending violence starts with a clear mind and a positive outlook. That’s why we prioritize mental health support, ensuring our youth have the tools they need to thrive both now and in the future.
Join us at Youths Left Behind and discover the power within you to shape a brighter tomorrow. Together, we’ll build a community where every young man can reach his full potential and make a positive impact on the world. Your journey starts here – are you ready? The best part, you’ll make connections with people you’ll only meet through YLB & it’s ALL COMPLETELY FREE!
Are you willing to avoid risky behaviors, learn from past mistakes and pursue your dreams?
If you’re nodding along or even just pondering the possibility, it’s time to embark on a transformative journey with Youths Left Behind. To enroll in our upcoming class, all you need is parent/guardian consent, to fill out the application below, and sign an agreement to obey all rules, avoid risky behaviors, and be willing to learn from past mistakes.Simply click the button below TO FILL OUT THE FORM DIGITALLY OR email youthsleftbehind@gmail.com and we can send you a printable version. soon after submission, one of our dedicated mentors will reach out to you promptly. Together, let’s unlock your potential and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
CONTACT US
Katrina Johnson-Hills
Director
Phone:
850.741.6404
Email:
youthsleftbehind@gmail.com
Address
Youths Left Behing Location:
900 S. Old Coryfield Rd. Moreno Ct. (Clubhouse) Pensacola Fl. 32507
Address
Mailing Address
Youths Left Behind 1815 Sunset Maple Rd. Cantonment, FL 32533
Equity
Youths Left Behind Corp. does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or military status, in any of its activities and/or operations.
Make a difference
Thank you to our amazing sponsors!
Copyright 2024 Youths Left Behind, Corp.
All rights reserved.