About Us
The Youth Wellness Initiative (YWI) helps young people reach their potential and build brighter futures. YWI supports children and strengthens communities; we could not do any of it without your support.
Empowering Youth, Inspiring Change.
The Youth Wellness Initiative (YWI) was founded in 2023 by Jeffery Aguirre in response to the growing youth health crisis that worsened during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. With schools closing and physical activities declining, Jeffery witnessed alarming trends like rising childhood obesity, emotional struggles, and fewer opportunities for physical development. Drawing from his own transformative experience with strength training, which not only improved his physical health but also built his mental resilience, Jeffery saw the need to help young people build confidence, discipline, and wellness through a holistic approach.
Inspired by his own journey, Jeffery developed a program that focuses on physical strength, nutrition, and mental wellness, aiming to make a lasting impact on youth development. He brought together a team of experts who shared his vision to create the Youth Wellness Initiative (YWI), which would address the whole child, preparing them for success in every aspect of their lives.
The initiative is dedicated to the memory of Jeffrey’s wife, Demi Aguirre, an educator who deeply believed in the importance of supporting children’s overall well-being. Despite facing her own battle with cancer, Demi’s passion for holistic education shaped the initiative’s approach. Today, YWI honors her legacy by providing comprehensive wellness programs that empower young people to thrive in body, mind, and character, helping them face challenges and build fulfilling futures.
Our Founding Principles
The Youth Wellness Initiative was established on four core principles that continue to guide our work:
- Early Intervention Creates Lasting Impact: Habits formed in childhood and adolescence shape lifelong patterns of health and wellness.
- Strength Training Builds More Than Muscles: Physical development directly contributes to mental resilience, self-confidence, and positive self-image.
- The Mind-Body Connection Is Essential: True wellness requires attention to both emotional and physical health as interconnected aspects of development.
- Every Child Deserves Access to Wellness Resources: Societal factors should not determine which young people have opportunities to develop healthy bodies and minds.
Our Vision
We envision communities where all young people have access to the resources, knowledge, and support they need to develop strong bodies, minds, and futures. Our ultimate goal is to expand our services nationwide, creating a network of wellness hubs that empower youth to reach their full potential.
By 2030, we aim to establish five regional centers across California, each serving as a model for our holistic approach to youth wellness. These centers will not only provide direct services but also serve as training grounds for educators, youth workers, and community leaders seeking to implement similar programs in their own communities.
Our Approach
At Youth Wellness Initiative, we believe in a holistic approach to wellness that recognizes the powerful connection between physical health and mental well-being. Our research-based programs are designed to:
- Build physical strength and endurance through proper training techniques
- Develop nutritional knowledge that supports growing bodies
- Foster mental resilience through mind-body awareness
- Create supportive communities where youth feel safe and valued
- Provide educational resources that complement academic learning
Our methodology integrates three key components: physical training, nutrition education, and mental wellness, into a comprehensive system that addresses the whole child. Rather than treating these as separate areas of focus, we help young people understand how they interconnect and reinforce each other, creating a foundation for lifelong wellness.
Our Impact
Since Our Founding, Youth Wellness Initiative Has
- Provided structured after-school fitness programs to over 200 youth
- Conducted nutrition education workshops for 150+ families
- Trained in integrating wellness concepts into classroom settings
- Established partnerships with 5 schools in the San Pedro area
- Demonstrated measurable improvements in participants’ physical fitness, nutritional knowledge, and self-reported confidence levels
Our Commitment to Accessibility
We believe that all young people deserve access to quality wellness programs regardless of their families’ financial circumstances. Through our scholarship program and sliding-scale fee structure, we ensure that income is never a barrier to participation.
Additionally, we actively work to make our programs culturally responsive and available to youth from all backgrounds, recognizing that wellness approaches must respect and incorporate various perspectives to be truly effective.
Our Community Partnerships
These partnerships strengthen our work and help create a community-wide atmosphere that values and supports youth wellness.
- Schools: Integrating our programs with educational institutions to reach youth where they are
- Community Organizations: Collaborating with existing youth-serving organizations to expand our impact
- Healthcare Providers: Working with medical professionals to ensure our approaches align with best practices in pediatric health
- Local Businesses: Engaging corporate partners who share our commitment to community wellness
- Families: Involving parents and caregivers as essential partners in supporting youth wellness
Our Community Partnerships
These partnerships strengthen our work and help create a community-wide culture that values and supports youth wellness.
- Schools: Integrating our programs with educational institutions to reach youth where they are
- Community Organizations: Collaborating with existing youth-serving organizations to expand our impact
- Healthcare Providers: Working with medical professionals to ensure our approaches align with best practices in pediatric health
- Local Businesses: Engaging corporate partners who share our commitment to community wellness
- Families: Involving parents and caregivers as essential partners in supporting youth wellness
We Commit to Your Child’s Professional Development
We invest in the ongoing professional development of our team, ensuring that everyone who works with youth through our programs has the knowledge, skills, and support they need to be effective.
Jeffery Aguirre, Founder and Chair
As founder of Youth Wellness Initiative, Jeffery brings his passion for strength training and youth development to every aspect of our organization. With extensive experience in physical wellness spanning over 15 years, Jeffery has dedicated himself to creating programs that build both physical and mental strength in young people. His background in exercise physiology and personal training, combined with his commitment to youth development, provides the foundation for our holistic approach.
Tiffany Leijbenkov, Treasurer
Tiffany oversees the financial health of our organization, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to maximize our impact on youth wellness. With a background in nonprofit finance and a passion for community development, she brings both expertise and commitment to her role, helping us maintain fiscal responsibility while pursuing ambitious goals.
Shana Frasier, Secretary
Shana manages organizational documentation and communication, playing a vital role in maintaining our operational effectiveness. Her background in nonprofit administration and youth development programs ensures that our organizational processes support our mission and values.
Arlene Graime, CEO
As our Chief Executive Officer, Arlene provides strategic leadership and oversees the implementation of our programs, partnerships, and growth initiatives. With 30+ years of experience in nonprofit management and a background in sports and philanthropy, Arlene brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to creating sustainable impact in youth wellness.
Susan Norman, Executive Director of Curriculum and Education Programs
Susan draws on her extensive background in education to develop a curriculum that integrates wellness concepts with academic support. Her 15 years as a classroom teacher and curriculum specialist enable her to create programs that resonate with both students and educators, bridging the gap between physical wellness and academic success.
Annie CASTAGNOLA, Community Relations and Administrative Projects
Annie builds and maintains our relationships with community partners, schools, and families, while coordinating administrative initiatives. Her background in community organizing and youth advocacy helps us create strong connections that support our mission and expand our impact.
Lowell Thomas, Chief Financial Officer
Lowell ensures the financial sustainability of our organization through responsible fiscal management and strategic planning. With a background in business and nonprofit finance, he helps us maximize the impact of every dollar while building the financial foundation for long-term growth.
Join Our Mission
There are many ways to support the work of Youth Wellness Initiative:
- Volunteer your time and expertise
- Partner with us as a school, organization, or business
- Donate to support our programs and scholarship fund
- Ambassador for youth wellness in your community
- Spread the word about our mission and impact
Together, we can build a future where all young people have the opportunity to develop strong bodies, resilient minds, and the confidence to pursue their dreams.