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IYO was founded in 1970 as the Brick Towers Youth Association by James Wallace, a community relations specialist with the Newark Fire Department and a member of the Newark Special Police. Beginning with 13 adolescents and parents, plus a dream of what could be (but not a dime to fund it), James and Carolyn Wallace started a Movement. They had faith then that the community would support a true grassroots effort to provide a spiritual foundation for motivating Newark’s youth to seek a better future. “The Community- in-Action” is how one foundation executive has described the IYO phenomenon. The popularity of a grassroots program that preached self-discipline, and instilled self-identity, grew month by month. Thus, IYO quickly outgrew its first three headquarters- a) the basement of the Brick Towers Apartment Building Complex, b) 2 small rooms located in the historic Red Cross building at Spruce Street, and c) a small three story brownstone apartment building across the street from Arts High School. All were located on High Street (now the Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard). Using some of their own money, supplemented by community donations, Jim and Carolyn found a home for their dream. In 1977, IYO was able to acquire the five contiguous buildings that now comprise the agency’ s main complex. The “Miracle on South 12th Street” (see Article), became a reality, with volunteer help from neighborhood residents, and the hard work from various participants, including those in the Newark Summer Youth Employment & Training Program. Neighborhood youth were trained in basic construction and handyman skills, and thus began the CREST (Creative Re-use of Existing Structure Training) Program, and forerunner to the Crest Development Corporation. Additionally, there were invaluable equipment donations from such corporations as: (Prudential, Mutual Benefit, Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G). Mr. Wallace began to transform the gutted, debris-laden, abandoned buildings into a community center for youth and their families. By late 1978, IYO was reborn in the new premises. (Subsequently, IYO has expanded to more buildings). |
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