Our Mission
Left: Free SAT-prep workshop at Loyola Marymount University for high school students.
Right: Wooten students participated in an architecture class in summer 2018 with Rick Shlemmer, principal of SAA interiors + architecture. SAAIA served pro bono, creating plans and acquiring permits for our renovation in 2019. Rick engaged Wooten students in helping develop the plans. The students also enjoyed field trips to Rick's offices in Culver City and downtown Los Angeles. They are shown here with an SAAIA staff member discussing the many career options in architecture and interior design.
Our Heart
At the heart of our mission for "good citizenship and academic excellence" is a desire to ensure that every student avoids the kind of lifestyle and overcomes the kinds of challenges that led to the murder of Al Wooten, Jr.
The Wooten Center has come a long way since 1990 when our founder, Myrtle Faye Rumph, opened the center in honor of her son's life. The challenge of serving more than 400 students in grades 3-12 annually online and onsite at our youth center and other sites in the South LA area and enhancing our offerings for these bright minds demand that we continually upgrade our programs and facilities. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to sustaining and improving our work for the long-term.
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Making a difference for life...Catch the Vision!
Our Mission
The Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center is a neighborhood approach to the revitalization and empowerment of a community in crisis. We provide a safe and nurturing environment committed to good citizenship and academic excellence.
"There is a saying that goes, "Tell me who your circle is and I'll tell you what you are made of." I find this to be so true because at the Wooten Center you find a bit of everything -- from help with homework to how to solve difficult situations in a respectful manner. Family is about support and that's what we find at the center. Always aiming to become better. The center is not just any center but we have become Wooten Family."
Manuela Granados, Wooten Parent
Our Goals
The Wooten Center provides free afterschool and summer programs to help students in grades 3-12 attain grade-level proficiency and promotion, high school graduation, and college and career access and success.