The YMCA of Greater Long Beach Community Development Branch has operated the Youth Institute, a year-round program that uses technology as an integral mechanism for promoting positive youth development and developing pathways to post secondary education and career readiness of low-income, culturally diverse urban high school youth.

The goals of the Youth Institute are:

1. To improve academic achievement and stimulate interest in post secondary education among low-income, culturally-diverse, urban high school youth;
2. To improve the technology, career, leadership and decision-making skills of these youth to promote readiness for post secondary education or career entry after graduation; and
3. To promote bonding to pro-social adults and community attachment among urban youth to ensure that they remain engaged in their schools and communities.