Our Story
Built for the Community. Run by the Community.
Y.C.A.M.P. Inc. was founded on a simple belief: every young person in Pinellas County deserves access to the tools, mentorship, and opportunity to build a meaningful future — regardless of zip code or circumstance.
Mission & Vision
A Pipeline from Potential to Purpose
Our Mission
To provide a structured, free-to-access, year-round pipeline for students in grades 6 through 12 in Pinellas County — fostering character development, academic success, and career readiness through Athletics, STEM Education, and Trade & Vocational Training.
Our Vision
A Pinellas County where every young person — regardless of background — has a clear, supported pathway from school to career, and the character to lead with integrity along the way.
Speed. Growth. Movement.
Speed
We move with urgency because our students can't wait. Every day matters.
Growth
We believe every student has untapped potential. Our job is to unlock it.
Movement
Progress is not passive. We build momentum — in the gym, the lab, and the workshop.
Our History
How Y.C.A.M.P. Began
Y.C.A.M.P. Inc. — the Youth Community Alliance & Mentorship Pipeline — was born out of a recognition that Pinellas County's youth needed more than after-school programs. They needed a pipeline: a structured, year-round system that met them where they were and walked with them toward where they could go.
Founded by community leaders who saw firsthand the gaps in youth development resources, Y.C.A.M.P. was designed from the ground up to be free, accessible, and built around the three pillars that research and experience show matter most — physical development through Athletics, intellectual development through STEM, and economic development through Trade & Vocational Training.
Today, Y.C.A.M.P. is growing — building partnerships with local businesses, trade unions, and community organizations to ensure that every student who enters the pipeline has a real pathway waiting for them on the other side.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Y.C.A.M.P. is governed by a dedicated board of community leaders committed to the mission.
Rufus Byrd
Chair
Rufus Byrd serves as Chair of the Y.C.A.M.P. Board of Directors, providing strategic leadership and vision for the organization's growth and community impact across Pinellas County.
Jaiwana Byrd
Treasurer
Jaiwana Byrd serves as Treasurer, overseeing the financial stewardship of Y.C.A.M.P. and ensuring the organization's resources are directed toward maximum student impact.
Ebony Jenkins
Secretary
Ebony Jenkins serves as Secretary and Board Member, managing organizational records and governance while contributing to the strategic direction of Y.C.A.M.P.'s programs.
Jacoya Byrd
Board Member
Jacoya Byrd serves as a Board Member, bringing community perspective and dedication to Y.C.A.M.P.'s mission of building pathways for Pinellas County youth.
Speed | Growth | Movement
Join the Movement.
Whether you're a student ready to step into the pipeline, a parent looking for opportunity for your child, or a partner ready to invest in the next generation — there's a place for you at Y.C.A.M.P.