OUR MISSION

“Empowering Youth with the Skills and Strength to Succeed.”

Our Vision

“The Youth Centers of Orange seeks to create a better tomorrow by providing mentoring, community engagement opportunities, enriching activities, and leadership and life skills development for the youth of today.”

Our Beliefs

  • We believe that by connecting youth with positive role models and opportunities to develop their character and follow their dreams we can build the future leaders that will continue the legacy of the City of Orange

  • We believe in fun with a purpose

  • We believe in and adhere to the time-tested youth development model of Belonging, Usefulness, Influence and Competency

  • We believe every child deserves the opportunity to follow their dream and we are committed to helping them achieve it

Our History

Though only 3 years old we have a strong history behind us. Our Old Towne Youth Center is located at the historic Grand Street Center, which is the history of youth development in the City of Orange. Since the 1940’s it has housed the YMCA and YWCA. On April 2, 2017, we opened our doors to hundreds of eager youth and their families. Originally established as the Old Towne Boys & Girls Club in 2017, we opened in partnership with the Tustin Club, which had been running programs at Handy Park since 2013.

Then, in 2018, the Youth Centers of Orange was born, and became its own independent after school program serving the youth and families of Orange. By being Orange centered, "For Orange, By Orange, In Orange," we are ensuring this resource will be sustained for future generations in the city.

In June 2020 The Hub OC was able to come alongside the YCO to continue to help it grow and serve the families and youth of Orange!

Meet the Team

CAM GERINGER-PATE
Director | Youth Centers of Orange

EDGAR GARNICA
Director of Programming

Hello everyone! I am a born and raised Orange County Native and a proud father to my amazing son who is 10 years old. I am an avid Fisherman who loves the outdoor lifestyle. A quick glimpse of how I got here is I went to a Youth Center as a child which is where my whole life changed. In my 11 year career working with kids I have had the absolute pleasure of being a mentor and impacting over 3,000 youth.

JOANNA FERMIN
Director of Operations

Hello families! I am grateful to continue to serve the youth and their families in the Orange community! I have been with the Youth Center since the very beginning and have seen first hand what an impact the YCO has made. I have worked with youth for six years now through volunteering at family shelters, in many classrooms, and working for other after school programs. I am currently attending Chapman University for my Masters in Special Education with Multiple Subject and Mild/Moderate Credentials. 

KAILI RAMIREZ
Sports Director

Hello everyone! I am so grateful that I get the opportunity to serve and coach students within the city of Orange. At an early age, between competitive dancing, playing soccer, and running cross country and track, sports transformed my life and taught me many incredible life lessons. Sports is what allowed me to go to college on a scholarship and it gave me tools for life. It is one of my greatest desires to coach students with the athletic skills necessary to compete in multiple sports as well as to grow deeper in their character. I have seen how sports has the power to transform the lives and hearts of the youth. 

Founders & Board Members 

Founders:

  • The John & Liz Valentine Fund

  • The Peter & Mary Muth Trust

  • The Nancy Nelson Trust

  • The Community Foundation of Orange

  • Orange Rotary

  • Chapman University

Board Members:

  • Gary Remland: Owner of Remland Insurance

  • James Gerrard

  • John Aust Ph.D: Owner John Aust Realty & CP Appraisers

  • Kevin Ritchie

  • Mark Schmidt: Owner of AFAB Packaging

  • Madison Aust: Madison is a licensed REALTOR and the Property Manager at John Aust Realty, as well as the Administrative Assistant for C P Appraisers, which are both located in Old Towne Orange