Berkeley Youth Alternatives Programs

Berkeley Youth Alternatives Programs offers educational, counseling, health and wellness, and career development programs for children and youth. The program provides a safe, supportive environment with dedicated mentorship and resources and subsidizes the costs of services based on a family’s ability to pay. The organization is a non-profit community organization dedicated to serving underserved children, youth, and their families and embraces a continuum of care model that focuses on education, health and wellbeing, and economic self-sufficiency.

• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 10am–6pm

Berkeley Youth Alternatives Programs was founded in 1969. The organization states that children and youth ages 6 to 24 years old are welcome to apply. BYA proudly partners with community leaders and organizations committed to serving youth. Its mission states that it is a unique non-profit community organization dedicated to serving underserved children, youth, and their families, using a continuum of care model focused on education, health and wellbeing, and economic self-sufficiency.

Testimonials from participants and families include: “BYA saved my life.” from a BYA CDC participant, “BYA helps me express my feelings through art when I am too shy to talk about them.” from a BYA after-school participant, and “BYA inspires me to be a better mom.” from a BYA parent. An event called “Taste of BYA” is scheduled for April 23, 2026, from 6–9pm at the Brazilian Room in Tilden Park.

Last updated March 22, 2026.