Berkeley Youth Alternatives Programs

Berkeley Youth Alternatives Programs offers a broad range of services that focus on education, health and wellbeing, and economic self-sufficiency. The program uses a continuum of care model to support children, youth, and their families through educational, counseling, and health and wellness programs, as well as career development programs. If Berkeley Youth Alternatives Programs does not offer a service that a client needs, staff identify an alternative resource in the community that does.

• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 10am–6pm
• Price: BYA subsidizes the costs of services based on a family’s ability to pay.

Berkeley Youth Alternatives Programs was founded in 1969 as a non-profit community organization dedicated to serving underserved children, youth, and their families. Children and youth ages 6 to 24 years old are welcome to apply. The organization has provided educational, health and wellness, and career development programs for underserved children in Berkeley, Oakland, and Alameda counties for over 50 years. BYA proudly partners with community leaders and organizations committed to serving youth. BYA provides a safe, supportive environment with dedicated mentorship and resources for youth and their families.

The mission of Berkeley Youth Alternatives Programs is to serve underserved children, youth, and their families through a continuum of care model that focuses on education, health and wellbeing, and economic self-sufficiency. One participant described the impact by saying, “BYA saved my life.” Another participant shared, “BYA helps me express my feelings through art when I am too shy to talk about them.” A parent stated, “BYA inspires me to be a better mom.”

Last updated June 20, 2026.