History

The Volunteer Auxiliary of the Youth Guidance Center, now renamed, City Youth Now, began in 1950. It was the first organization of its kind in the history of the Juvenile Courts in the United States. The organization was established to provide enrichment and enhancements in the lives of children under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court. The early mission was to be the place of “last resort” serving the unique needs of system-involved children by providing funding for meaningful services not covered by government or other public entities.

On September 15, 1950, with the enthusiastic support of the San Francisco Juvenile Court and Juvenile Probation, nine women leaders in San Francisco- Mrs.Grace Barbee, Mrs.Harold Berliner, Mrs. Fred Block, Mrs. Frank Fries, Mrs. WIlliam J. Gray, Mrs. Marshall Madison, Mrs. Walter McGinn, Mrs. Nion Tucker and Mrs. Daniel Volkan officially organized the Volunteer Auxiliary of the Youth Guidance Center.

Throughout the years, the organization hosted thousands of volunteers, and provided a wide range of programs and direct services ranging from holiday gift giveaways, to scholarships, to job training and mentorship programs.