West Atco Youth In Action, Inc.

The West Atco Youth in Action WAYIA (https://www.westatcoyia.com) is a grassroots, community-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that gives 100% of its proceeds to service youth and communities in the Greater South Jersey area. We have created this GoFundMe campaign because our historic building requires significant repairs.

Our Campaign

On September 2, 2021, a support beam collapsed in the cellar due to years and years of termite infestation. The beams are vital to our building's structure, and because of that, the building was deemed unsafe by the construction officials.

It will cost approximately $60,000 for the infrastructure repairs.

Our organization needs your help to raise the money required to fix our facility to continue our work of mentoring, tutoring, and martial arts.

Over the last 32 years, we have seen more than 1000 youth pass through our facility to go onto college or some form of post-secondary education. Our primary program, Achieving Academic Excellence through Martial Arts, produced a class valedictorian, master’s degrees, entrepreneurs, educators, police officers, and many highly productive members of society.

Our History and Future

The former West Atco Fire Department was constructed in the 1950s and served as the first African American volunteer department in Winslow Township, NJ.

Forty years after being built, the city almost demolished the building if it weren't for our organization's efforts. After a 7-year renovation project, the former fire Hall was opened in 2002 as the NEW West Atco Youth in Action Learning and Resource Center.

The building served as a beacon of hope for over 70 years. Once as a fire department and now a vibrant community center.

Achieving Academic Excellence through Martial Arts received international recognition with the honor of being inducted into the International Black Belt Hall of Fame in 2009 because of our youth's academic achievements and competitive spirit at numerous Martial Arts competitions.

Please help us continue our track record of serving our community for over 32 years by giving to this worthwhile cause.

Derek & Leza Davis

Executive Directors

The West Atco Youth in Action, Inc. (WAYIA )

https://www.westatcoyia.com/