ABOUT | CatalystYN.org

ABOUT US

WHAT WE'RE ABOUT

In Oakland and across the Bay Area, too many young people grow up feeling disconnected. Disconnected from opportunity, from support, and from people who believe in them. They have big dreams, plenty of drive, and raw potential. But potential alone does not build a future.

Our story is about changing that reality. Catalyst Youth Network exists to inspire hope, cultivate belonging, and build confidence while opening pathways for young people who have too often been denied opportunity. We set out to surround each youth with a community that holds them up and a spark that pushes them forward. Think of it as building a strong foundation and lighting a spark at the same time.

We partner with schools, families, and local organizations to create a network of support. This looks like connecting teens with mentors, mental health resources, leadership experiences, and job training opportunities. It is not only about providing services, it is about letting each young person know they truly belong in this community and that their future matters.

HOW IT STARTED

Catalyst Youth Network was founded in 2020 with a conviction that young people in Oakland deserve the same access to opportunity and support that many of their peers across the Bay enjoy. Too often, those opportunities are unevenly distributed, and the gap leaves youth on the margins of possibility. Catalyst was created to help close that gap by lowering barriers and providing steady support so young people can flourish.

The teenage years are some of the hardest years to navigate. It is a season of big questions, fragile confidence, and the steep climb of transitioning into adulthood. Having a community that believes in you during this stage can make all the difference.

From the very beginning, Catalyst was built on listening. The team spent time reaching out to educators, community leaders, youth, and families to understand what was missing. The message was clear. Youth needed both belonging and a way forward, supported in a way that builds confidence and sparks hope for what’s ahead.

The name Catalyst captures that vision. The organization exists to create an environment where transformation can happen more easily, where the spark inside a young person meets the support of a community ready to lift them up. Catalyst’s program framework is guided by an alchemy of research evidence, lived experience, youth voices, and the team’s expertise. From its start, the organization has remained committed to cultivating belonging, removing barriers, and creating spaces where young leaders can breathe, grow, and thrive.