Youth Opportunities Center

"Empowering youth through the 21^st Century"  

The Wichita Falls Art-Entertainment & Culture (WFAE&/C) is a not for profit organization and the parent company of the Youth Opportunities Center (YOC).  WFAE&C was established in 1987 and has since provided over a decade of cultural awareness and cultural entertainment services to Wichita Falls and the surrounding community. 

In 1993, the Senior-Junior Forum of Wichita Falls donated the facility where YOC is now housed, located at 401 Madison Street in the City of Wichita Falls, this facility is a sturdy 46 year old structure comprised of three buildings including a gymnasium (5,005 sq. ft.): it also includes a large rear yard (15,000 sq. ft.) that provides ample room for growth and facility expansion.  In addition, we have a round fine arts building (3,590 sq. ft.) and a rectangular education building (4,290 sq. ft.).  We are also the owner of two (2) vacant lots that can be used for expansion.  On

January 15, 1994 we opened our doors to the community since that time YOC has maintained a strict focus on providing a safe facility where youth, their families and other community residents

can express and hone their intellectual, spiritual and physical talents.  Among our many goals at

YOC, those we target hardest are combating youth criminal behavior, reducing youth unemployment, empowering our youth in the spiritual, educational , vocational and recreational

fields, and preparing them for their roles as self-sufficient adults in future society. 

In 1994, Texas State Representative, John Hirschi honored our Director/Founder with a recognition award for organizing the Youth Opportunities Center.  In 1995, U.S. Attorney Paul Coggins presented our Director with the Golden Eagle Award for organizing YOC, this prestigious award normally given to police officers for their outstanding work in their community. 

In 1997, our Director of  was very instrumental in Wichita Falls receiving the Weed and Seed site designation.  The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) designated YOC a "safe Haven".  This designation certifies that the various youth and adult services that are provided are conducted in a Safe accessible facility.   Additionally, this stipulate that our programs are geared to foster positive mental constructs and also discourages all negatives and criminal behavior. 

We experienced a funding cut in 1999/2000, after those ‘financial transitional’ years, 2001 brought a new interest in boxing.  At present YOC is the home of Wichita Falls Boxing under the direction of volunteer coaches: Mike Zapata, Sammy Beatty, Randy Culver, Kent Knowles, Pat "The Champ" Duran and possibly Ray Huff.  With these coaches, champions are eminent as well as achieving our goal of becoming the Boxing Capitol of Texoma. 
 

Parent Company: Wichita Falls Art-Entertainment & Culture       

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