In 1998 a group of community members including the Rogers County District Attorney, the Claremore Chief of Police, a local minister, an assistant public school superintendent, and a local businessman attended a statewide conference featuring General Colin Powell’s “America’s Promise”.  Inspired by General Powell, this core group formed the first Board of Directors for Rogers County Volunteers for Youth and obtained the required 501c3 non-profit status.  Their vision was to provide services for Rogers County youth in the areas of mentoring, safe and structured activities, healthy starts, skill building and service opportunities.

Volunteers for Youth offers youth-serving programs – PAL, BLAST, TSET/HLP, PFS and the Drug Free Communities project.  Volunteers for Youth is supported by individual contributions, grants and fundraisers.

Volunteers for Youth partners with each of the school districts in which the PAL Program is operational. We also partner with the City of Claremore Parks & Recreation Department to operate the BLAST After School Program and youth events & camps. The City Parks & Recreation Department provides space to house the after school program, administrative office space and does not charge for utilities. Volunteers for Youth shares office space with Rogers County Youth Services.  Corporate partners include RCB Bank, Grand Bank, Wal-Mart Supercenter, the City of Claremore and Baker Hughes Centrilift who allow their employees to leave the workplace and mentor a student in the PAL Program.