About ICY

THE HISTORY….

Established in 1997, Inner City Youth was founded by Navy Veteran, Michael "Mike" Brown, to serve local teenagers and transitional youth, ages 17 and 24.  To help his children thrive academically, Mr. Brown arranged tutoring sessions at the family home on Minerva Street. This quickly drew attention from students and residents in the OMI and thus nonprofit was created. 

Growing to meet the evolving needs of the community, today ICY offers skills-based training including: web design, music/sound recording, culinary arts. In 2002 Mr. Brown's daughter, Gwendolyn Brown, graduate of Mills College, returned to ICY to contribute creative writing skills to Studio 96, a student run music studio. Today, Ms. Brown continues her father's legacy as Director.

TODAY…

ICY provides essential resources to what we now know is the most historically underserved area of San Francisco. This is made possible with the support of the City of San Francisco and strategic partnerships with community based organizations throughout the Bay Area.

ICY provides job search assistance, career planning and skills training through apprenticeships. Many ICY program participants have launched successful businesses. The Hub plans to host a dedicated entrepreneurship training program. The goal of ICY is to make at-risk youth more employable and competitive, encourage inclusion and promote an equitable and vibrant society. The opening of The Hub is one step closer towards that vision.