YDC

Our History

The Youth Development Center (YDC) was founded in 1990 by a group of individuals, including business people and community leaders who deeply cared for the development of adolescents in the Winchester, Frederick and Clarke County.

A campus concept was agreed upon whereby area organizations whose mission embraced the development of young people could co-exist in an environment that would provide for networking, exchange of ideas, and shared resources. Organizations would also be provided with rent free office space in order that operating expenses could more fully be utilized for youth programming. The campus began with an office building housing youth non-profit organizations.

Shortly thereafter, land was leased (at $1.00 per year) to the area Boy Scout Council for their headquarters; Tom Baker and his wife Sheila then donated their home and three acres of land (now known as the Baker House) to complete the three building campus site. The house was converted to office space and a youth organization now occupies this space.

By 1992, the YDC Board of Directors expanded its vision to include an activities building which would provide for recreational space for the campus organizations, youth, and the community at large. The Gerald F. Smith Youth Activity Building was dedicated on December 3, 1995 and held its first High School dance in January of 1996.

To build the YDC campus, a goal of $1,455,000 was established and this allowed for the construction of an office building, the renovation of the Baker House, and the construction of the activities building.  Three acres of land were donated by the O'Sullivan Corporation, expanding the campus to 6 acres- 3 acres each in the city of Winchester and Frederick County.  Donations were solicited and received from individuals, businesses, civic groups, youth groups, schools, churches, and government agencies.  Additional donations were sought for the beginnings of a future endowment fund.