GYAC Youth Programs
Gifford Youth Achievement Center, 4875 43rd Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32967
About
GYAC Youth Programs offers year-round educational programs for students in grades K–12. The programs take place on the GYAC campus, which includes classrooms, two computer labs, an outdoor patio, a full-size gymnasium, and a pool next to the Cis and Bill Glavin Educational Center. The campus is a 38,000 square foot facility that includes the Cis and Bill Glavin Educational Center with eight classrooms and four offices, and the Afterschool Program has 243 students enrolled.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
GYAC Youth Programs operates within an organization that was founded in 1998 and marked its 25th anniversary on February 15, 2023, with a celebration event held January 25th. The organization’s mission is to create, with God’s guidance, educational, cultural and social opportunities that enhance the lives of the youth and families it serves. Over time, GYAC has played a crucial role in increasing the graduation rate of Indian River County’s African American population from 23% at its inception to over 90% in the present day, with a focus on increasing the graduation rate of African Americans in the Gifford community. GYAC’s values include Respect, Hope, Perseverance, Hard work, Inclusivity, and Collaboration, and it serves students from 88% of Indian River County public schools, with 53% of students living in single-parent households.
GYAC’s history includes a 1996 discussion to develop a youth center, Indian River County’s approval of plans and a groundbreaking in 1997, and the opening of an 18,000 square foot facility on February 15, 1998. In 1999, GYAC partnered with Indian River State College (formerly Indian River Community College) to create the Kellogg Academic Program for Success (KAPS), which won the Equity Award after its first year. Beyond Special K (BSK) was created in 2000 to serve adults and seniors, and in 2001 GYAC was declared a 501(c)(3) organization, with the Board agreeing to expand the Center by 6,000 square feet and build a pool. The organization received the 2005 Outstanding Florida Minority Education Community Award from Governor Jeb Bush, leased three more modular classrooms in 2013, and established the Boys 2 Men 2 Greatness mentoring program as a pilot in 2014. In 2015, the organization renamed itself the Gifford Youth Achievement Center, celebrated its 20th anniversary and began a 14,000 square foot expansion project in 2018, opened the Cis and Bill Glavin Educational Center in May 2019, and exceeded a $7.4 million capital campaign need in March 2020. In 2022, GYAC launched the Youth Employability Program (YEP), participated in a NASA Downlink, and launched a brand refresh.
The leadership team includes Executive Director Angelia Perry, MS; Assistant Executive Director Terri A. Graham, Ed.D.; Director of Philanthropy Peggy Gibbs, CFRE; Director of Finance Mike Hallenstein, MSDA; Director of Youth Employability Program Jay Lundy, Sr.; Director of Student Support Services Denise Smith, Ed.D.; and Director of Youth Programs Curtis Webb. GYAC maintains a strong network of community partners, including local employers that support career development and internship opportunities for high school students through the Youth Employability Program. The Boys 2 Men 2 Greatness mentoring program receives grant funding from the Indian River Community Foundation, and a $100,000 grant from Indian River Impact 100 helped launch YEP. GYAC has also participated in a NASA Downlink that allowed students to receive live feedback from astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
GYAC Youth Programs are part of an organization that includes a vibrant adult and seniors program through Beyond Special K (BSK) and the Boys 2 Men 2 Greatness mentoring program. The organization describes its environment for local youth as safe and structured. Parent and student feedback includes comments such as, “I cannot speak enough about the support from GYAC. I’m a single parent, and it’s hard. The homework help alone is huge. As a parent, I’m forever grateful,” from GYAC parent Ja’Licia Bass. Another parent, Chantral Warner, states, “I’ve never seen a program like this, and I pray that GYAC is here forever. They are truly setting children up for greatness!” An 8th grade student, Tyjah W. from Oslo Middle School, shares that “GYAC helps students strive for academic excellence, respect and community involvement. They help students find their talents and excel at them.”
Last updated June 1, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
GYAC Youth Programs operates within an organization that was founded in 1998 and marked its 25th anniversary on February 15, 2023, with a celebration event held January 25th. The organization’s mission is to create, with God’s guidance, educational, cultural and social opportunities that enhance the lives of the youth and families it serves. Over time, GYAC has played a crucial role in increasing the graduation rate of Indian River County’s African American population from 23% at its inception to over 90% in the present day, with a focus on increasing the graduation rate of African Americans in the Gifford community. GYAC’s values include Respect, Hope, Perseverance, Hard work, Inclusivity, and Collaboration, and it serves students from 88% of Indian River County public schools, with 53% of students living in single-parent households.
GYAC’s history includes a 1996 discussion to develop a youth center, Indian River County’s approval of plans and a groundbreaking in 1997, and the opening of an 18,000 square foot facility on February 15, 1998. In 1999, GYAC partnered with Indian River State College (formerly Indian River Community College) to create the Kellogg Academic Program for Success (KAPS), which won the Equity Award after its first year. Beyond Special K (BSK) was created in 2000 to serve adults and seniors, and in 2001 GYAC was declared a 501(c)(3) organization, with the Board agreeing to expand the Center by 6,000 square feet and build a pool. The organization received the 2005 Outstanding Florida Minority Education Community Award from Governor Jeb Bush, leased three more modular classrooms in 2013, and established the Boys 2 Men 2 Greatness mentoring program as a pilot in 2014. In 2015, the organization renamed itself the Gifford Youth Achievement Center, celebrated its 20th anniversary and began a 14,000 square foot expansion project in 2018, opened the Cis and Bill Glavin Educational Center in May 2019, and exceeded a $7.4 million capital campaign need in March 2020. In 2022, GYAC launched the Youth Employability Program (YEP), participated in a NASA Downlink, and launched a brand refresh.
The leadership team includes Executive Director Angelia Perry, MS; Assistant Executive Director Terri A. Graham, Ed.D.; Director of Philanthropy Peggy Gibbs, CFRE; Director of Finance Mike Hallenstein, MSDA; Director of Youth Employability Program Jay Lundy, Sr.; Director of Student Support Services Denise Smith, Ed.D.; and Director of Youth Programs Curtis Webb. GYAC maintains a strong network of community partners, including local employers that support career development and internship opportunities for high school students through the Youth Employability Program. The Boys 2 Men 2 Greatness mentoring program receives grant funding from the Indian River Community Foundation, and a $100,000 grant from Indian River Impact 100 helped launch YEP. GYAC has also participated in a NASA Downlink that allowed students to receive live feedback from astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
GYAC Youth Programs are part of an organization that includes a vibrant adult and seniors program through Beyond Special K (BSK) and the Boys 2 Men 2 Greatness mentoring program. The organization describes its environment for local youth as safe and structured. Parent and student feedback includes comments such as, “I cannot speak enough about the support from GYAC. I’m a single parent, and it’s hard. The homework help alone is huge. As a parent, I’m forever grateful,” from GYAC parent Ja’Licia Bass. Another parent, Chantral Warner, states, “I’ve never seen a program like this, and I pray that GYAC is here forever. They are truly setting children up for greatness!” An 8th grade student, Tyjah W. from Oslo Middle School, shares that “GYAC helps students strive for academic excellence, respect and community involvement. They help students find their talents and excel at them.”
Last updated June 1, 2026.
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