The Baton Rouge Youth Coalition Inc (BRYC) is a nonprofit organization based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, dedicated to supporting under-resourced youth in advancing through secondary and higher education to achieve economic mobility. Established in 2009, BRYC focuses on addressing systemic inequities faced by lower-income and first-generation college students, particularly students of color, by providing a comprehensive support system from middle school through college graduation and into career launch.

Mission and Programs

BRYC's core mission is to help students succeed in high school, persist through college, graduate with degrees, and secure career-track jobs. Its support model begins as early as 8th grade, offering after-school and in-school programs targeted at helping students improve academic performance, prepare for college entrance exams such as the ACT, and navigate the college application and financial aid process. The organization refers to its participating students as "Fellows" during middle and high school, "College Fellows" once they are enrolled in college, and "Alumni" after graduation.

Beyond initial college entry, BRYC's services extend to persistent mentoring and resources to ensure students remain enrolled and graduate, addressing the critical challenge of post-secondary persistence faced by many from low socioeconomic backgrounds. BRYC reports an 83% college persistence rate among its Fellows, significantly higher than the national average for lower-income youth. Through volunteer mentors, community partnerships, and dedicated staff, the organization also facilitates career readiness and placement to maximize the economic value of earned degrees.

Impact and Reach

Since its inception, BRYC has served over 667 alumni and facilitated the earning of more than 200 degrees. Its alumni collectively have obtained in excess of $85 million in scholarships. In recent years, the organization has expanded its reach to serve around 300 high school students annually, with plans to grow to over 650 teens through multiple campus locations, including a flagship downtown Baton Rouge campus, an Iberville satellite site, and an upcoming South Baton Rouge campus. The staff of 16 full-time employees coordinates approximately 200 long-term volunteer mentors annually, leveraging extensive campus, community, and employer partnerships.

Organizational Structure and Equity Commitment

BRYC is governed by a board of directors and led by a team committed to racial equity and inclusive leadership. The coalition employs processes to identify and mitigate implicit and explicit biases, seeking diverse representation in leadership and community advisory roles. It emphasizes ongoing staff engagement in equity work and measures job satisfaction disaggregated by race and role within the organization to foster an inclusive culture where race identity does not adversely affect staff outcomes.

Financial Overview

In 2023, Baton Rouge Youth Coalition reported revenues of approximately $1.78 million with expenses totaling around $1.95 million. The organization held assets valued at about $1.25 million and liabilities of $93,100 during the same period. BRYC's funding includes grants supporting its youth empowerment and student development priorities.

Summary

The Baton Rouge Youth Coalition Inc is a vital educational nonprofit in Louisiana focused on dismantling barriers to higher education for low-income youth of color. Through sustained mentorship, academic support, and career preparation, BRYC empowers its Fellows to convert educational opportunities into lifelong economic and social mobility, fulfilling its role as a supportive "village" and safety net in the Baton Rouge community.

This article is based on information from the organization's official resources, public nonprofit data, and community reports as of early 2025.