LOUISVILLE, KY (Wednesday, March 17, 2021) —The Coalition Supporting Young Adults (CSYA) has hired Darryl Young, Jr. as the organization’s first Executive Director.
Darryl comes to CSYA from the Muhammad Ali Center, where he served for four years as the Program Manager. There, Darryl implemented and expanded the Center’s youth engagement programs, strengthened community relationships, and secured grants for new programs. A 2012 graduate of the University of Louisville, Darryl is co-chair of the One Love Louisville Initiative, a Co-Facilitator of the Racial Healers Training through the child welfare system, a founding Associate Board member at Nativity Academy, and a 40 Under 40 Honoree.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to have been selected to do this very important work,” said Darryl. “I look forward to working with community partners to support this deserving population of young people.”
CSYA was initiated by the Coalition for the Homeless in 2012 as a collective action initiative of organizations who share the goal of transforming how Louisville supports vulnerable youth and young adults. With the current health, economic, and social justice crises in Louisville, it is estimated as many as one in four young people in Louisville (aged 16-24) are not engaged in education or employment, and the disparity between the disconnection of Black youth and white youth in Louisville is the worst in the country.
With the hiring of Darryl as the inaugural Executive Director and the generous support of our funding partners Louisville Metro, Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence, and the Junior League of Louisville, CSYA is entering the next phase of the organization’s growth. This year, CSYA is working with YouthBuild Louisville, Louisville Urban League, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, and Louisville Metro Office of Youth Development to expand and link the network of supports for Louisville’s young people (aged 16 to 24) who are not in school or work, or simply need more support.
“Darryl brings years of experience working with young people and is intentional about centering youth voice,” said Nikki Thornton, Board Chair. “His diverse networks will help to expand the collective actions that are essential for CSYA’s continued growth. Darryl is a true asset to the organization and I’m thrilled to work in partnership with him.”
CSYA’s work is rooted in the need for systemic change, and centers their work by listening to directly impacted young people, advocating alongside them for their success, and connecting them with programs and opportunities. To get involved with CSYA, contact Darryl at dyoung@csyalouisville.org.