Community Youth in Action (CYA) was established on June 11, 2018. CYA’s founder Becky Leatham sat down with a team of youth and community members intending to create a community coalition that offered leadership opportunities and valued the voice of teens. With a loan of $50 to open a bank account and their first fundraiser of a firework stand, CYA has grown immensely and achieved great success. Today CYA stands with youth, working to ensure that teens’ opinions are heard. CYA strives for a safe community. CYA realizes our difference make us stronger. CYA is inviting, inclusive, accepting, and understanding because we know we are better together.
Executive Director
Coalition Director
Teen Center Director
SPaRC Director
Our organization is made up of three very different yet connected teams.
First is the CYA Coalition. This team focuses on community volunteer projects, substance abuse and suicide prevention, youth leadership, evidence-based prevention classes, safe & sober activities, parent education, the annual TRAPPED Leadership Retreat, school assemblies, community presentations, and parent education.
Second is the LIV Teen Center. The teen center provides daily transportation, meals, after-school tutoring, and enrichment classes for all area youth grades 7-12. Classes include STEM, art, music, fitness, cooking, adulting 101, crafts, support groups, sewing, photography, and more. If you want it, we can find it. The teen center offers a safe environment for after-school hours with caring and supporting mentors.
The third is the new SPaRC Team. This team assists youth and families to connect to resources available in the community, such as food, clothing, and medical & mental health needs. They are available to screen youth to determine the best resources available in our community to meet their needs. This team is available on call 24 hours (208) 544-4357 to provide a safe place for youth. They aim to prevent youth from entering the Juvenile Justice System, Behavior Health Hospital, or Health and Welfare System when they are at lower risk. (If your young person is in great harm of injury, please seek help at our local emergency room)
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