The Youth Connection is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Southeast Michigan connecting youth to a brighter future. We are committed to providing high-quality youth programs, advocacy and supportive services. We provide programs such as our Career Academies, Nutrition Education, Substance Abuse Prevention, and our Ticket to Float Summer Kayaking Program. We connect youth, young adults and their families to resources and opportunities that enrich their lives, with special attention to those who are underserved..

The Youth Connection is honored to be KBP Foods “Charity of Choice” in 2021! Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurants in the state of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana will be selling charity coupon books for $1 (with $30 of savings of delicious meals).  All proceeds benefit our programs at The Youth Connection! The campaign will take place NOW through March 31st, 2021. FIND A KFC LOCATION NEAR YOU BY CLICKING HERE!

YOUTH & ADULTS, YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE! The Youth Connection, in partnership with Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network and the Detroit Health Department, host FREE VIRTUAL NARCAN TRAININGS! Participants will learn opioid prevention strategies and how to administer Naloxone, a life-saving medication that will reverse the effects of an opioid or heroin overdose. REGISTER HERE!

Red Ribbon Week is from October 23^rd – October 31^st. It started after the death of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who in 1985 was brutally murdered by drug traffickers he was investigating in Mexico. After his death, people started wearing red ribbons to honor Kiki's sacrifice. Checkout and see how The Youth Connection staff, our youth, and families are pledging to be DRUG FREE! 

FREE VIRTUAL AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM!  Youth will learn how to deal with peer pressure, positive ways to deal with stress and how to make good decisions. To register, fill out our online form by clicking here!

FAMILIES: STAY FIT AND ACTIVE! The Youth Connection will be launching our I2D2 Fit "N" Fun Family Clubs program virtually! Register your family for our program today by clicking here!

CALLING ALL FAMILIES! Sign up for our upcoming Virtual Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 Session! To register, fill out our online form by clicking here!

Checkout the Highlights of The Youth Connection's 2019 Chief's Cooking for Kids Thursday, October 10, 2019 at The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Downtown Detroit! Congratulations to Chief Ronald Haddad (Dearborn Police Department) for winning "Chief Chef" for the fourth time in a row! Checkout photo's from our 2019 Chief Cooking for Kids here! (Video Courtesy of WXYZ Action 7 News)

The Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC) honored Dr. Grenaé Dudley with the Sy Gottlieb Award at the Salute! to Healthcare celebration on Thursday, November 14! GDAHC recognized Dr. Dudley for her more than 30-year career as a relentless advocate for children’s wellbeing in Southeast Michigan. Dr. Dudley is the President and CEO of The Youth Connection, an organization whose goal is to connect youth to brighter futures by improving academic and health outcomes, providing job skills training, and reducing substance use. Congratulations Dr. Dudley! We are so proud you are leading the charge in helping us connect youth to brighter futures. We thank all of our board members, staff, and honored guests who helped us support Dr. Dudley received her award! We would also like to congratulate Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) board members Tom Adams and Monique Stanton on the awards they received.

The Youth Connection, Love Detroit Prevention Coalition and Dr. Dudley were featured on the afternoon news broadcast of WWJ AM 950 on May 21^st as part of our Save Our Graduating Seniors (S.O.S) campaign. The campaign took place at the Detroit Police Department 11^th Precinct and educated high school seniors and students about the dangers of underage drinking, the use of marijuana and non-medical use of prescription pills while driving during prom season. Listen below!

Youth from The Youth Connection Career Academies took a tour of the WXYZ studios thanks to TYC Board Member Jennifer Sulik. The students learned about different jobs in the studio, met on-air talent and even got to sit in the anchor chair! We appreciate the entire staff at WXYZ for their hospitality!

In collaboration with The Love Detroit Prevention Coalition, Dr. Grenae Dudley (President & CEO of The Youth Connection) and youth from our Youth Leadership Council spoke in front of City of Detroit Council Member Scott Benson and The Public Health & Safety Standing Committee on February 19, 2018. Topics discussed were the dangers of legalizing recreational marijuana in the City of Detroit, alcohol and tobacco availability for middle and high school students, and where marijuana dispensaries or “stations” and liquor stores are located within a mile radius of a school or church. Watch the video below!

Dr. Grenae Dudley was honored at this 2017's Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence Ceremony on April 20th! The Michigan Chronicle celebrates local African American women who inspire others through vision and leadership, exceptional achievements, and participation in community service. Dr. Dudley and many honorees that have been selected have shown exceptional success in business, community involvement, and philanthropy. A special thanks to TYC Board Member Nadine Cook, for nominating Dr. Dudley for this prestigious award. Congratulations Dr. Dudley!

We would like to thank the volunteers from Best Buy and Microsoft for exposing youth to creative, fun and innovative tech projects in their Technology Event held at our TYC office on Tuesday, September 12^th, 2017! Youth from The Youth Connection, Martin Luther King Jr. High School, and The Rhonda Walker Foundation participated in educational activities such as Stop Motion Animation, creating their own apps, and played “Makey-Makey” where youth use non-traditional materials (play-doh, bananas, etc) as a mouse. We appreciate the folks at Break a Difference for partnering with us on a great event!