The Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center is a neighborhood approach to the revitalization and empowerment of a community in crisis. We provide a safe and nurturing environment committed to good citizenship and academic excellence. The Wooten Center provides free afterschool and low-cost summer programs to help students in grades 3-12 attain grade-level proficiency and promotion, high school graduation, and college and career access and success.
At the heart of their mission for “good citizenship and academic excellence” is a desire to ensure that every student avoids the kind of lifestyle and overcomes the kinds of challenges that led to the murder of Al Wooten, Jr. The Wooten Center has come a long way since 1990 when their founder, Myrtle Faye Rumph, opened the center in honor of her son’s life. They serve about 300 students annually today at their nonprofit youth center and other sites in the South LA area, enhancing their offerings for these bright minds.