Youth Co-Op

What Youth Co-Op does

Youth Co-Op, Inc. (YCI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1973 and headquartered at 7875 NW 12th Street, Doral, Florida. It delivers a comprehensive suite of human services across South Florida through what it terms an "E3" model spanning Education, Employment, and Empowerment. Operationally, the organization runs six physical locations — the Doral headquarters, plus offices in Hialeah, Boynton Beach, Perrine, Little Havana, and West Dade — alongside two wholly-owned charter schools: Youth Co-Op Charter School (K-8) and Youth Co-Op Preparatory High School (9-12), both designated "A" schools in the top 4-5% of Florida for 2024-2025. Programmatic offerings include youth education and employment support (ages 14-24), high-school equivalency and post-secondary preparation, mentoring, dropout prevention, the BACK TO WORK 50+ program for older adults (with AARP Foundation), employer HR/recruitment services, immigration legal services (work permits, green cards, asylum, TPS, citizenship, family petitions, VAWA), refugee resettlement, a self-sufficiency program, services for unaccompanied alien children, and case management for trafficking survivors. In 2024, the organization served over 75,000 individuals across Florida.

The revenue model is grant-and-donation-funded rather than transactional. Primary funding flows through government grants and contracts administered under WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), the Florida Department of Children and Families, the U.S. Department of Labor, and USCIS, supplemented by tax-deductible individual donations processed via PayPal (Florida Charitable Registration #CH12442, EIN 23-7320351). Employer HR services are provided at no cost to South Florida businesses, functioning as a workforce-placement channel rather than a paid revenue line. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven: WIOA orientations, general information sessions, and workshops are scheduled monthly across the career-center network, with referrals generated through partnerships with United Way Miami, CareerSource Florida, Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, AARP Foundation, and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (member since 1997). Distribution is exclusively physical/direct at six locations; there is no consumer technology product, no mobile app, no public API, and no disclosed proprietary software platform.

The organization is led by President and CEO Connie Perez-Borroto (recognized by Fortune's "Leading Women in Business" in 2024 and by Forbes and Marquis Who's Who), supported by a Deputy Director, Comptroller, in-house Immigration Attorney, and a Contract Compliance Officer, plus charter-school academic leadership (Principal Leisy Reitz, Assistant Principal Alejandro Portela) and a Board of Directors chaired by Maria C. Rodriguez. Workforce size is 251-500, consistent with the eligibility threshold for the USA TODAY Top Workplaces award (150+ employees) and with operating both two schools and six community offices. There is no disclosed parent company, private equity ownership, or venture investment; corporate structuring is limited to the wholly-owned charter-school subsidiaries established in 1998, with no mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring events recorded in the available data.

Name

Youth Co-Op

Legal name

Youth Co-Op, Inc.

Website

https://ycoop.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Youth Co-Op is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1973 and headquartered in Doral, Florida, that serves over 75,000 youth, adults, immigrants, and refugees annually across South Florida through six career centers and two charter schools, funded primarily by government grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services and Workforce Development

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Charter Alternative & At-Risk Schools (Continuation, Credit Recovery, Juvenile) (EDAJACAE), Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools (EDAJACAK), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Youth education programs
• Refugee resettlement services
• Immigration legal services
• Charter school education

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: Primary funding from government sources including WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), DCF-funded programs, refugee resettlement programs, and educational grants; operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit with EIN 23-7320351
2. Individual Donations: Accepts donations through PayPal; registered charity with Florida Division of Consumer Services; contributions tax-deductible
3. Employer Services (Free to Employers): Provides HR solutions, recruitment, and pre-screening services to businesses at no cost; acts as extension of employer HR departments

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Youth Co-Op is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers free education, employment, and empowerment (E3) services to youth, adults, immigrants, and refugees across South Florida. Its core offerings include two tuition-free charter schools, workforce development programs (including Back to Work 50+), immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, and self-sufficiency case management. Services are delivered through six career center locations and served over 75,000 individuals in 2024.

Product overview

Youth Co-Op is a nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive suite of human services through its E3 philosophy (Educate, Employ, Empower). The organization operates multiple distinct programs: two charter schools (Youth Co-Op Charter School K-8 and Youth Co-Op Preparatory High School 9-12) offering tuition-free education; workforce development programs including the Back to Work 50+ Program and youth employment services; and empowerment services encompassing immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, and self-sufficiency programs. The organization serves individuals across South Florida through six career center locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tiger Nation: The shared mascot brand for Youth Co-Op Charter School (K-8) and Youth Co-Op Preparatory High School (9-12), representing the schools' academic community.

Products and services

• Youth Co-Op Charter School Tuition-free public charter school providing K-8 education with individualized learning, high academic standards, advanced facilities, and a private-school-like environment; ranked #23 out of 583 schools statewide (top 4%).
• Youth Co-Op Preparatory High School Tuition-free public charter high school (9-12) focused on college and career readiness through innovative educational programs; ranked #21 out of 504 high schools statewide (top 5%).
• Back to Work 50+ Program Specialized program aiding unemployed or under-employed older adults aged 50+ in improving job search skills through workshops, videos, and coaching, in collaboration with AARP Foundation.
• Youth Employment Programs Employment opportunities for youth aged 16-24 in private, non-profit, and public sectors to foster career exploration and skill development aligned with career aspirations.
• Employer Services HR solutions for businesses including recruitment, pre-screening, market information for expansion, and connections to skilled workers through workforce development activities, provided at no cost.
• Immigration Legal Services Expert assistance with work permits, green cards, asylum applications, TPS, citizenship and naturalization, family petitions, affidavits of support, religious visas, and VAWA support.
• Refugee Services / Relocation Support Comprehensive support for eligible individuals including personalized welcome, food and shelter provision, orientation to local communities, school enrollment assistance, healthcare access, and employment assistance.
• Self-Sufficiency Program Program promoting early independence for eligible individuals through financial assistance, dedicated case management, job search support, post-secondary education access, and community contributions.
• Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children Support services including home visits and referrals for medical, legal, academic, and community support for unaccompanied alien children.
• Support for Trafficking Survivors Case management tailored to foreign national survivors with direct financial assistance to meet immediate needs.
• Youth Education and Employment Support Free resources for youth aged 14-24 providing assistance in earning a high school diploma or equivalent along with opportunities for seasonal and part-time employment to build skills and experience.
• High School Equivalency and Post-Secondary Preparation Targeted support for youth aged 16-24 to earn a high school equivalency credential and pursue further education, including tutoring by certified educators and guidance on financial aid and post-secondary options.
• Mentoring for Success A mentoring program connecting youth aged 15-24 with experienced professionals for personal and professional growth, including development of social, life, and financial literacy skills.
• Dropout Prevention Program Support program for students at risk of leaving school, offering one-on-one counseling, family support, tutoring, leadership training, mentoring, social services, internships, and job opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75,000+ individuals served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2024Federal government partnership for Constitution Day and Citizenship Day celebrations; commitment to serving individuals through citizenship preparation and immigration services
• USCIS Office of Citizenship, Partnerships, and Engagement (OCPE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2024Partnership focused on welcoming new citizens and promoting civic engagement; hosted event at Youth Co-Op Doral location
• United Way MiamicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting Youth Co-Op's mission to serve individuals and families in South Florida through education, employment, and empowerment programs
• Florida Department of Children and FamiliescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing funding and oversight for DCF-funded programs including youth services and family support
• CareerSource FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState workforce development board partner supporting WIOA programs and employment services
• Miami-Dade CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner providing support and resources for community programs
• AARP FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for BACK TO WORK 50+ program supporting unemployed adults aged 50+ through coaching, workshops, and job placement
• Gap Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing employment opportunities and workforce development support
• US Committee for Refugees and ImmigrantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization network partner since 1997 for refugee resettlement and immigration services
• U.S. Department of LaborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner supporting WIOA workforce development programs and One-Stop Career Center system
• Miami-Dade County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner supporting charter schools and youth programs
• SACSCOCminorOthersSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges - accreditation partner

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• CareerSource South Florida: Regional workforce development board that administers WIOA-funded career services across the same South Florida geography as Youth Co-Op, operating One-Stop Career Centers with overlapping employer- and job-seeker-facing programs.
• Goodwill Industries of South Florida: Nonprofit delivering workforce training, job placement, and social services across South Florida with similar mission, funding mix, and target populations; directly competes for WIOA and employer-services contracts.
• Hispanic Unity of Florida: Broward-based nonprofit offering immigrant integration, education, and workforce programs — directly overlapping Youth Co-Op's immigration legal and refugee resettlement services plus adult education in the same metro.
• Urban League of Greater Miami: Affiliate of the National Urban League providing workforce development, youth education, and community services in the same South Florida market with overlapping employer-recruitment and adult-job-seeking segments.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami: Large regional nonprofit delivering immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, and social services across South Florida — competes directly for government refugee and social-service contracts.
• Lutheran Services Florida: Statewide nonprofit operating refugee resettlement, workforce, and child welfare programs through contracts with the same federal agencies (DCF, HHS); comparable scale and service portfolio.
• Americans for Immigrant Justice: Florida-based immigration legal services nonprofit with overlapping asylum, VAWA, and family-based petition work; comparable accredited legal services model and donor base.

Broad incumbents

• Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit serving young adults with career training and employer partnerships; broader geographic reach and corporate footprint than Youth Co-Op but overlapping youth workforce methodology.
• Per Scholas: National tuition-free tech workforce training nonprofit serving similar low-income adult populations with employer-driven training; overlapping back-to-work and adult re-skilling programs but with a national footprint.
• Academica: Florida's largest charter school management organization operating K-12 campuses across the state; comparable charter school operating expertise and Florida DOE regulatory track record.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Youthcoop
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youth-co-op

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Youth Co-Op