Victory Youth Centers

Thank you for visiting our #iGiveCatholic Giving Day page! Your generosity fuels the mission of Victory Youth Center (VYC), providing a safe and inspiring space where youth and their families can learn, play, and grow. Since 2007, our Victory Youth Center, located on Merrick Center Campus, has been a vital hub for the communities of Wards 7 and 8 in Washington, DC—areas facing significant socioeconomic challenges. With its 25,000-square-foot facility featuring basketball courts, classrooms, and meeting spaces, VYC serves neighborhoods like Washington Highlands, Congress Heights, and Barry Farm. Each year, we engage more than 150 youth through school-year programs and over 600 during weekends and summer camps.

Why Your Support Matters

Wards 7 and 8 have the highest poverty rates in the District, with limited access to quality education, job opportunities, and safe recreational spaces for youth. This reality makes programs like VYC’s essential. Our youth mentoring and development initiatives address these challenges head-on, equipping young people with the tools and relationships needed to overcome adversity, build resilience, and thrive.

The Impact of Your Gift

Your contribution directly supports programs like:

• Young Men of Valor and Excellence (YMOVE): Mentoring young men in college and career readiness, financial literacy, and healthy lifestyles.
• Girls on the Rise (GOR): Empowering at-risk girls with leadership development, academic success, and family engagement.
• After-School Basketball Academy: Blending basketball skills, mentoring, and academic support for 3rd-8th graders.
• City Gate After-School Program: A STEM-focused initiative providing academic support and hands-on learning for 65 youth.
• The Kickback - The Kickback Program offers a cutting-edge multimedia experience to 8th-12th graders. This innovative afterschool initiative empowers students to plan, manage, and execute an engaging online talk show designed for a teenage audience. Within this multimedia endeavor, Kickback participants collaborate to produce a captivating weekly talk show, featuring a dynamic youth host and support team. The show delves into the everyday challenges faced by teenagers in our community, offering insights and guidance.

These programs create a safe and nurturing environment where youth can break cycles of poverty and achieve their potential.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Your Giving Tuesday gift ensures that more young people in Wards 7 and 8 have access to mentorship, education, and community—building brighter futures for all. Together, we can continue to inspire and empower the next generation.

Thank you for your support. Let’s #GiveCatholic and make a lasting impact today!