Collective Action For Youth

What Collective Action For Youth does

Collective Action for Youth (CA4Y) is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2017 as the Harris County Youth Collective and rebranded under its current name in 2021, that delivers a portfolio of trauma-informed programs to system-impacted youth ages 10-35, foster/adoptive/kinship families, and Texas residents requiring mental health support. Core service lines include a free telehealth Mental Health Clinic, the Credible Messengers mentoring program pairing youth with mentors who share their lived experience of foster care, juvenile justice, homelessness, or criminal justice involvement, the Peer-to-Peer Mentorship program operating bi-monthly at Residential Treatment Centers in Katy and Houston, two youth-led advisory boards (JJA YAB for juvenile justice advocacy and YHDP YAB for youth homelessness), the Momentum Internship Program placing young adults at 10 nonprofit host organizations, and the Social Justice Rising Youth Fellowship in partnership with the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition. CA4Y also runs GenHTX, a voter-engagement initiative coordinating 33 BIPOC partner organizations across Harris County, and offers for-fee Professional Training Services covering TBRI, Trauma Training, Adoption Competency, and Emotional Intelligence.

Underlying the service model is a "credible messenger" staffing doctrine in which practitioners are recruited from the same populations being served, combined with coalition-based go-to-market — services are distributed through direct telehealth delivery, embedded placement at residential treatment centers and schools, CBO referral networks across five focus zips (77060, 77088, 77016, 77026, 77028), and a 33-organization partner ecosystem under GenHTX. Pricing mechanics are bifurcated: mental health services are free to clients regardless of background, while professional trainings are priced on a custom basis varying by geography, participant count, delivery mode, and CEU requirements. Revenue derives primarily from foundation and government grants (most prominently a disclosed $750,000 investment from the Houston Endowment in 2020 to launch the Youth-Led Organizing Entity), individual donations routed via the Greater Houston Community Foundation, and fee-for-service training contracts. The organization has been expanding into adjacent program verticals, including civic engagement (GenHTX, GenHTX University), housing resource publication (the YHDP YAB Housing Guide launched June 2024), and youth-led education advocacy following the 2024 HISD state takeover.

Name

Collective Action For Youth

Legal name

Collective Action For Youth

Website

https://ca4y.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Collective Action for Youth is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free mental health, mentorship, youth advisory, civic engagement, and workforce programs for system-impacted youth ages 10-35, foster and kinship families, and Texas residents, staffed by practitioners with lived experience in foster care, juvenile justice, and homelessness.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Services Nonprofit

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services) (HLAFACAL)

Keywords

• Youth mental health services
• Youth mentorship programs
• Juvenile justice advocacy
• Workforce development programs
• Civic engagement initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary funding from foundations and government grants including Houston Endowment $750,000 investment for Youth-Led Organizing Entity and ongoing program support.
2. Training Services: Customizable professional development trainings on Adoption Competency, TBRI, Trauma Training, and Emotional Intelligence for professionals and community members. Consultation services, best practices trainings, audits, coaching, and speaking engagements also available.
3. Donations: Charitable donations from individuals and organizations supporting youth services and advocacy programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Collective Action For Youth operates free direct-service programs for system-impacted youth in Houston/Harris County, including a telehealth Mental Health Clinic for youth ages 16-28 and foster/adoptive/kinship families, peer mentorship through the Credible Messengers Pilot and Mentorship programs, paid workforce development via the Momentum Internship Program, youth-led advocacy through the JJA YAB and YHDP YAB boards, and civic engagement through the GenHTX coalition of 33 BIPOC organizations. The organization also offers customizable fee-based professional trainings on Adoption Competency, TBRI, Trauma, and Emotional Intelligence for outside organizations and professionals.

Product overview

Collective Action for Youth (CA4Y) operates as a multi-program nonprofit organization providing youth services in Houston, Texas. The organization offers a diverse portfolio of programs including mental health services via telehealth, youth organizing and advocacy, youth action boards for juvenile justice and homelessness, mentorship services for youth in residential treatment centers, workforce development through the Momentum Internship Program, civic engagement via GenHTX and its fellowship program, and professional training services. These programs are coordinated through a centralized organizational structure but function as distinct service offerings unified by the mission to create communities where all youth can thrive.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GenHTX: A funded initiative under Collective Action for Youth that includes 33 BIPOC organizations working collaboratively to increase voter engagement efforts amongst young people 35 and under.
• JJA YAB
• YHDP YAB
• CA4Y Mentoring
• Credible Messengers
• Momentum Summer Internship Program
• GenHTX University
• Youth Justice Transformation Cohort

Products and services

• Mental Health Clinic Free telehealth mental health services for youth and young adults ages 16-28 with trauma backgrounds, as well as foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Services are available to Texas residents at no cost via ca4y.clientsecure.me, with the Houston clinic operating Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM.
• Credible Messengers Pilot Program Transformative mentoring program pairing system-involved youth ages 10-35 with credible messenger mentors who share lived experience in child welfare, juvenile justice, or homelessness systems. Full-time mentors help clients move from crisis to stability across Houston zip codes 77060, 77088, 77016, 77026, and 77028 in partnership with 13 CBO partners.
• Mentorship Program Peer-to-peer mentor program founded by young adults who aged out of foster care, employing individuals with lived experience in child welfare, juvenile justice, homelessness, and criminal justice systems. Provides bi-monthly mentorship visits at Residential Treatment Centers in Katy and Houston to support youth during the transition to adulthood.
• Juvenile Justice Advocacy Youth Advisory Board (JJA YAB) Leadership development board for system-impacted youth ages 16-26 focused on personal goals, professional growth, and advocacy for juvenile justice system reform in Harris County. Members build personal and professional capacity while advancing policy change through storytelling and advocacy.
• Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Youth Action Board (YHDP YAB) Youth action board for individuals who have experienced homelessness, working to address youth homelessness in Houston through cultural competency training, a youth housing guide, advocacy, and personal/professional growth opportunities. Maintains approximately 5 active members and convenes regularly with the Coalition of the Homeless.
• Momentum Internship Program Paid workforce development initiative connecting young adults ages 16-24 with internship opportunities at nonprofit partner organizations, including weekly leadership development sessions. The 2026 cohort partners with 10 host organizations including YMCA of Greater Houston, Wesley Community Center, Breakthrough Houston, and others.
• GenHTX Voter Engagement Initiative Civic engagement initiative coordinating 33 BIPOC partner organizations to increase voter engagement efforts among young people 35 and under in Harris County. Functions as a CA4Y-funded initiative involving 2024 funded partners including AliefVote, Houston Youth Voters Conference, 50 Fathers Movement, JOLT, Mi Familia Vota, and others.
• GenHTX University Civic Engagement Fellowship Four-month civic engagement fellowship program for students promoting voting and democratic participation through workshops and hands-on experiences. Operates under the GenHTX umbrella as a student-focused civic engagement pathway.
• Youth Justice Transformation Cohort Collaborative cohort with three specialized tracks (Data Analysis Fellows, Policy Fellows, and Participatory Action Research Fellows) working on youth justice transformation in Harris County. Coalition includes 11 partner organizations such as Young People in Action, US Dream Academy, Pure Justice, Grassroots Leadership, and Juvenile Justice Advocates YAB.
• Youth Organizing Youth-led advocacy program focused on education advocacy in Houston, addressing child welfare, education, juvenile justice, mental health, and youth homelessness through community engagement and panel discussions. Supports student advocates following the HISD state takeover.
• Professional Training Services Customizable 2-8 hour professional training programs covering Adoption Competency, Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), Trauma Training, and Emotional Intelligence. Prices vary based on local vs statewide engagement, number of participants, and in-person vs virtual delivery, with CEUs available upon request.
• Social Justice Rising Youth Fellowship Fellowship program in partnership with TCJC Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, teaching community-driven policy with the goal of reforming policies, providing services for youth, and reallocating funds. Awards $5,000 to each fellow completing the program.
• Land & Legacy Project Project focused on land and legacy issues affecting youth communities, hosted as a CA4Y resource for community engagement around these thematic concerns.
• YHDP YAB Housing Guide Comprehensive housing resource guide for young people experiencing homelessness, developed and launched in June 2024 by the YHDP Youth Action Board. Functions as a standalone resource product for youth seeking housing support.

Quantifiable outcome

• YHDP YAB developed and launched comprehensive youth housing guide in June 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers30 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Houston Independent School District (HISD)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Support for student advocates following state takeover. Includes joining protests, creating safe spaces for panel discussions, and facilitating youth-led campaigns.
• Harris County Youth Justice Transformation Cohort MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2022Coalition of 11 organizations including Young People in Action, US Dream Academy, Pure Justice, Grassroots Leadership, Excel Beyond, Aknew Approach, Operation Prison Prevention, The Village Connect, Juvenile Justice Advocates YAB, Houston in Action. Three specialized tracks: Data Analysis, Policy, and Participatory Action Research Fellows.
• TCJC Texas Criminal Justice CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership delivering Social Justice Rising Youth Fellowship teaching community-driven policy with goal of reforming policies, providing services for youth, and reallocating funds.
• Coalition of the HomelessmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021YHDP YAB member serves on Coalition of the Homeless steering committee, contributing to homeless services policy and advocacy.
• Youth and Community Collaboration Fund PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Montrose Grace Place (youth-led board development), Urban Community Network (parent voice expansion), Foster Care Advocacy Center (parent representation), Juvenile and Children's Advocacy Project (juvenile law clinic).
• Georgetown Center for Juvenile Justice ReformcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership to adapt the Crossover Youth Practice Model (CYPM) for Harris County, aligning dual status youth efforts across the county.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston: Regional youth development nonprofit operating across the Houston area, directly comparable in geography and broad youth-services mission, though focused on after-school programming rather than justice or foster-care intervention.
• YMCA of Greater Houston: Large regional youth services provider in Houston; partners with CA4Y on the Momentum Internship Program and offers broadly comparable youth-development, civic engagement, and workforce programming, though at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• National Network for Youth: National membership organization advancing policy and practice for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and juvenile justice involvement, the exact population CA4Y's YHDP YAB and JJA YAB programs target. Comparable in advocacy and systems-change orientation.
• Juvenile Law Center: National public interest law firm advancing the rights and well-being of youth in the child welfare and justice systems. Highly comparable to CA4Y's JJA YAB and Youth Justice Transformation Cohort advocacy work, but focused on legal advocacy rather than direct service.
• Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative: Annie E. Casey Foundation initiative focused on improving outcomes for young people transitioning out of foster care, the same population CA4Y serves through its Credible Messengers and YHDP YAB. Both organizations pair lived-experience leadership with policy advocacy for older foster youth.
• National Crittenton Foundation: National organization focused on empowering young women and girls of color impacted by systems, including foster care and juvenile justice. Shares CA4Y's trauma-informed, lived-experience-centered, leadership-development model.
• Youth Advocate Programs (YAP): National nonprofit providing community-based alternatives to incarceration and youth justice services using a staff model that mirrors CA4Y's lived-experience approach. Operates paid, around-the-clock advocate staff supporting system-involved youth, making it the closest direct peer.

Broad incumbents

• Children's Defense Fund: National child welfare and youth justice advocacy organization with significant policy presence, comparable to CA4Y's Youth Justice Transformation Cohort and Youth Organizing work, but at national scale and with substantially more resources.
• Covenant House: Large national nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and wraparound services for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and trafficking, directly comparable to CA4Y's YHDP YAB housing work but operating across many U.S. cities.
• MENTOR (National Mentoring Partnership): National umbrella organization advancing quality youth mentoring, with affiliate networks across the U.S. Highly comparable in mission and target population to CA4Y's Credible Messengers and Peer-to-Peer Mentor programs, but operates at national scale rather than county level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/collectiveactionforyouth
• Facebookfacebook.com/CA4YTX
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/collective-action-for-youth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Collective Action For Youth