Real life education. Community power.

Learn what life demands. Build what your future deserves.

YLA turns practical knowledge into action for young people, families, and lifelong learners.

Learn It. Live It. Teach It.

Illustration of Black families and young people learning together with books and technology
Education built for real lifeClear lessons. Useful action. Knowledge passed forward.
0real life lesson plans
0Financial Literacy ABCs
0life categories
Freefor the community
2026 Gold Seal of Transparency Candid Gold Seal emblem 2026 GOLD SEAL OF TRANSPARENCY Candid Verified profile2026 Gold Seal of Transparency — Candid
500lives impacted
$50,000raised in 2025

A YLA spotlight series

Young Leaders

The next generation is learning real-life skills, building confidence, and preparing to shape what comes next.

Sports magazine style cover featuring six year old Xavier in a green Minecraft sweatsuit looking at his Minecraft watch amid bright green game inspired energy

X the visionary

Meet Xavier.

Six years old. The Minecraft generation. The future we are building for.

YLA connects imagination with real life education, giving the next generation room to learn, create, and shape what comes next.

Magazine style cover featuring eleven year old Isaiah in a navy and gold tracksuit on a penthouse terrace at dusk

The next chapter

Meet Isaiah.

Eleven years old. Learning today. Building toward what comes next.

YLA’s real life lesson plans turn everyday questions into practical steps Isaiah can explore now and carry forward.

Education and practical learning
Financial confidence
Wellness and community care
Technology and life skills

The next generation

Meet MT & JM.

A celebration of bright energy, big imagination, and the confidence to grow into every possibility.

JM smiling in a bright blue lightning jacket and colorful sneakers against a cheerful confetti background
Joy in motion

JM

Colorful confidence. Limitless possibility.

Curiosity in action

MT

Big energy. Bright future.

Invest in their future

Local roots, lasting reach

Help learners in Cleveland, Ohio and Tampa Bay, Florida turn knowledge into opportunity.

YLA serves young people, families, and lifelong learners with practical education built around real decisions, real skills, and stronger community connections.

Fund the next opportunity
Whole learner

Reading, communication, confidence, wellness, creativity, leadership, and practical life preparation.

Across generations

Learning pathways extend from early discovery through adulthood and elder legacy education.

Cleveland and Tampa Bay focused

Community workshops, mentoring, resource support, and partnerships designed to strengthen local opportunity in both communities.

Built to connect

Workbooks, workshops, music, video, apps, and hands on experiences reinforce learning in multiple ways.

501(c)(3) nonprofitCharitable education and community development mission.
Board ledPrograms and partnerships advance through nonprofit governance.
Chairwoman Jamieshia YoungerLeadership grounded in family, learning, and community impact.
EIN 33-3593335Federal tax exempt public charity status confirmed.

Programs & projects

A connected education portfolio with real production depth.

Funders can help YLA move developed curricula and creative work into final production, testing, delivery, and community access.

Production curriculum developed

Global Mastery System

Sixteen mastery areas connect literacy, communication, mathematics, movement, self awareness, practical life skills, leadership, creativity, and world understanding.

120 educational units2,640 workbook page specifications120 audio packs120 video scripts120 workshops120 assessments20 adult literacy units
Curriculum developed

Financial Literacy ABCs

Twenty-six A to Z lessons pair early literacy with assets, budgeting, credit, equity, savings, taxes, value, wealth, and zero debt.

Frameworks developed

Seven Stage Legacy Workbooks

Seven connected learning journals span ages 0 to 3 through age 60+, building skills for every stage of life.

Established mission area

Community Support Programs

Educational supplies, food and clothing assistance, wellness resources, workshops, volunteer programs, and family relief. Current community efforts include the Free Gift Program, Emergency Relief, the Holiday Gift Card Giveaway, and a 400-household care package goal, powered by volunteers.

Get Support →Volunteer →
Proposed program

Ready to Learn Mentoring

A school based model for academic, social, and developmental support, alongside reading, leadership, and confidence mentoring.

Program concept

Youth Sports & Development

Teamwork, discipline, physical activity, leadership, and community involvement through sports centered learning.

Educational outreach

Cultural Learning Expeditions

Real world discovery connecting culture, history, geography, nature, language, local economies, and global understanding.

Creative development

Music, Animation & Milan the Menace

Educational songs, narration, cartoons, and an original family adventure series designed to make science, finance, engineering, and community learning memorable.

In development

Legacy Learning Portal

A central digital home for courses, resources, videos, assessments, and learning records.

Deep Research Division

Community learning and supervised inquiry across education, natural science, heritage, and technology.

Robotics & invention programs

Hands on pathways for engineering, prototyping, electronics, software, and original problem solving.

Fund a program See ways to support

Open learning library

Choose a lesson experience.

Financial confidence and clear communication are open to every visitor. Lesson titles are free to browse. Sign in to open full lesson content.

Financial Literacy ABCs26 lessons, quiz, and learning games Articulation Practice LabGuided R, S, TH, and L sound practice

Financial confidence

Financial Literacy ABCs

Sign in to open all 26 lessons. Read, listen, take the quiz, and play the learning games at your own pace.

Each letter connects a financial word to an everyday example. Use the listen button on any lesson for read aloud support.

A is for Asset

Something you own that has value and can help you build your future.

Example: A savings account is an asset because the currency in it belongs to you.

B is for Budget

A plan that tells your currency where to go before you spend it.

Example: If you receive $20, your budget can set aside $10 to save, $5 to give, and $5 to spend.

C is for Credit

A record of how responsibly you borrow and repay currency.

Example: Paying a borrowed amount on time helps build a strong credit history.

D is for Debt

Currency you borrowed and still need to repay.

Example: If you borrow $10 and repay $2, you still have $8 of debt.

E is for Equity

The part of something valuable that you truly own after subtracting what you owe.

Example: If a bike is worth $100 and you owe $25 on it, your equity is $75.

F is for Financial Freedom

Having enough resources and good habits to make choices without currency pressure controlling every decision.

Example: Saving, planning, and keeping debt low can create more freedom later.

G is for Goal

A clear result you plan and work toward.

Example: Saving $5 each week until you can buy a $40 science kit is a financial goal.

H is for Homeownership

Owning the home where you live instead of renting it from someone else.

Example: A homeowner plans for the mortgage, repairs, taxes, and utilities.

I is for Investment

Something you put currency, time, or effort into because you expect it to grow in value.

Example: Buying a share of a company can be an investment, and its value can rise or fall.

J is for Job

Work you do in exchange for pay.

Example: A weekend job can help you earn currency, learn skills, and save toward a goal.

K is for Knowledge

What you learn and understand so you can make stronger choices.

Example: Knowing how interest works helps you compare loans and savings accounts.

L is for Liability

Something you owe or a cost you are responsible for paying.

Example: A loan balance is a liability until it is fully repaid.

M is for Management

Planning, organizing, and checking how your resources are used.

Example: Currency management means tracking what comes in, what goes out, and what you save.

N is for Needs

Things you must have for health, safety, and daily life.

Example: Food, safe housing, basic clothing, and medicine are needs.

O is for Opportunity

A chance to learn, earn, save, build, or grow.

Example: A free workshop can be an opportunity to gain a skill that leads to work.

P is for Profit

What remains after you subtract all business costs from the currency earned.

Example: If lemonade sales bring in $30 and supplies cost $18, the profit is $12.

Q is for Quality

How well something is made or how well a service is performed.

Example: A quality backpack may cost more at first and last longer than a weaker one.

R is for Risk

The chance that a choice may not turn out the way you hope.

Example: An investment may grow, stay the same, or lose value, so it carries risk.

S is for Savings

Currency you set aside for future goals, needs, or emergencies.

Example: Putting $3 from every allowance into a savings jar builds a helpful habit.

T is for Taxes

Currency collected by government to help pay for public services.

Example: Sales tax may be added when you buy something, so the final price can be higher than the shelf price.

U is for Utility

A useful service a household pays for, such as water, electricity, or gas.

Example: Turning off unused lights can lower an electricity bill.

V is for Value

What something is worth to you or in the marketplace.

Example: A library card has great value because it gives access to books and learning at no charge.

W is for Wealth

The value of what you own after subtracting what you owe.

Example: Savings, property, and investments can build wealth over time.

X is for Expense

Currency spent to buy something or pay for a service.

Example: Bus fare, groceries, and a phone bill are expenses.

Y is for YLA Legacy

Knowledge, values, resources, and opportunities passed forward to strengthen others.

Example: Teaching a younger family member how to budget is part of building a YLA legacy.

Z is for Zero Debt

Owing no borrowed currency.

Example: Paying a loan balance down to $0 means that debt has reached zero.

Short quiz

Check what you learned

Choose one answer for each question, then check your score.

1. What helps you plan where your currency will go?

2. Which word means something you own that has value?

3. A business earns $30 and spends $18. What is the $12 left over called?

4. What is currency set aside for future goals or emergencies?

Learning games

Match the money word

Select a word, then choose the definition that matches it.

Choose a word to begin.

Needs or wants?

Tap each item to sort it.

Choose an item and decide whether it is a need or a want.

Lesson Plans

Real-life education, taught our way. Learn It. Live It. Teach It.

My Certificates

Sign in and pass a lesson knowledge check to earn your first certificate.

Category
Learning level

Clear communication practice

Articulation Practice Lab

Build a focused session for R, S, TH, or L sounds. Move through breath, placement, words, phrases, reading, and reflection at your own pace.

Educational practice, not speech therapy. This experience supports general practice and does not diagnose or treat a speech or language condition. If speech is painful, causes distress, or remains a concern, contact a licensed speech-language pathologist for an evaluation and individualized guidance.

Build your session

Choose a sound and practice time.

Your choices shape the guided session. Nothing is saved after you leave this page.

Practice goal
Session length
Breathing reset

Ready for one calm 4–2–6 breath.

Guided practice

R sound · 5 minute session

Goal: clear RLength: 5 minutesStep 1 of 6

Optional practice tool

Record and listen back

Record a short practice sample, then play it back to hear your pacing and sound placement. Audio stays in this browser session and is not uploaded.

Microphone access is optional.

Self reflection

How did that practice feel?

Choose the description that fits, then leave yourself one useful note.

Your reflection stays on this page only and clears when the page closes or reloads.

Practical training guide

Practice with purpose, not pressure.

Short, accurate repetitions are more useful than rushing. Use a mirror when it helps, pause when your mouth feels tired, and keep the voice relaxed.

01Hear the target

Say the sound slowly and notice where the tongue, teeth, lips, and airflow belong.

02Build in layers

Move from the sound alone to words, short phrases, sentences, and natural reading.

03Use helpful feedback

Try a mirror or the optional recorder. Listen for clarity without criticizing your voice.

04Know when to ask

A licensed speech-language pathologist can assess concerns and create an individual plan.

Learning that reaches beyond the classroom.

Our programs connect ideas to everyday decisions, future opportunities, and the confidence to build something lasting.

Illustration of a student building a robot with a mentor
01

Education and technology

Hands on learning that strengthens curiosity, digital confidence, research skills, and problem solving.

Illustration of a family learning financial skills together
02

Financial literacy

Clear, practical guidance for budgeting, saving, ownership, and making informed financial decisions.

Illustration of neighbors sharing wellness and food resources
03

Wellness and community support

Programs and resources that strengthen healthy routines, resilience, connection, and shared care.

Start learning today.

Fifty free real-life lesson plans across ten life categories, from Money Power and Home Life to Tech & Digital and Community & Power, are open now with a free account.

Donate to these programs

Community support

Request support through a YLA program.

Choose the program that fits your situation. Each button opens the official YLA application or registration form in a new tab.

Community resources

Younger Legacy Academy Free Gift Program

Register for the Academy’s free gift program and provide the information requested for program review.

Open program form → Emergency support

Emergency Relief Application

Apply for consideration when your household is facing an urgent need and community support may help.

Open relief application → Seasonal program

Holiday Gift Card Giveaway Registration

Register for the holiday gift card giveaway through YLA’s official program form.

Open giveaway registration →

Questions about these programs can be sent to jyounger@goyfa.org.

Complete program portfolio

Creative, technical, cultural, and practical learning.

Every area supports the same purpose: give learners knowledge they can apply in school, work, business, home, and community life.

Film & Media Production

Fate’s Wild Ride is a book to film concept in development, planned as a story led pathway into literacy, discussion, and creative production.

Educational films will turn curriculum topics into clear visual stories for learners, families, and facilitators.

Creative Design & Media Production

Visual learning uses a royal blue, gold, and emerald direction to create a recognizable, uplifting educational world.

Original educational characters help explain ideas through workbooks, animation, games, classroom materials, and family activities.

Educational Toys & Physical Products

Hands on learning tools are designed to help learners practice away from a screen.

  • Financial literacy flashcards
  • Learning kits and tabletop games
  • Science kits and guided experiments
  • Workbook companion materials

Digital Learning & Automation

The Legacy Learning Portal is in development as a central place for courses, resource libraries, progress records, and family dashboards.

Its purpose is to make organized learning easier to access and follow across age groups.

Publishing & Media Business

The educational catalog is planned across printed and digital workbooks, audio books, facilitator resources, and video courses.

Publishing connects every YLA subject to materials that can be used in workshops, homes, and partner programs.

Music & Audio Production

One hundred twenty planned audio and music packs support the Global Mastery System through songs, chants, narration, and guided listening.

Each format reinforces memory, pronunciation, confidence, and independent review.

Animation

Original animated learning turns science, financial education, engineering, literacy, and community lessons into memorable stories.

Short educational pieces are planned for lessons, workshops, and family viewing.

Milan the Menace

An animated family comedy in development, designed in a 22 minute format and set in Lakeview Heights.

The story world follows Milan and JM, MT the Genius, and X through big ideas, neighborhood adventures, and lessons in problem solving.

Deep Research Division

Structured, supervised inquiry will explore education, community needs, natural science, technology, history, culture, public resources, and emerging learning methods.

Research findings will inform curriculum, workshops, publishing, and future program decisions.

Natural Sciences & Nature Learning

Field observation, ecology, earth science, biology, food systems, weather, conservation, and environmental responsibility connect science to the world learners can see and investigate.

DNA, Heritage & Ancestral Research

Age appropriate study of family history, migration, records, oral history, genealogy, and the basics of inherited traits builds careful research habits and respect for personal information.

STEM & Hands On Trades

Practical pathways introduce robotics, automotive systems, HVAC, construction, electronics, engineering, repair, safety, and prototyping.

Learners connect mathematics and science with tools, careers, and real world problem solving.

Financial Education & Entrepreneurship

Learners practice budgeting, saving, credit, taxes, pricing, profit, risk, business planning, customer service, recordkeeping, and responsible ownership.

Programs connect personal confidence with the skills required to build and sustain a venture.

Higher Learning app family

Twelve connected learning experiences.

The app family is planned to support focused practice, accessible instruction, and progress across literacy, life skills, languages, and technology.

  1. 01Higher Learning Alphabet
  2. 02Reading and Spelling
  3. 03Memory and Focus Lab
  4. 04Speak and Express Lab
  5. 05Math and Logic
  6. 06World Ready
  7. 07Life Ready
  8. 08Move and Master
  9. 09Adult Literacy Companion
  10. 10AI Education
  11. 11Legacy Learning Portal
  12. 12Global Language Learning

How we are organized

Ten departments working toward one mission.

YLA’s structure brings curriculum, technology, creative production, research, practical skills, and community leadership into one connected educational organization.

  1. 01Education and Curriculum
  2. 02Educational Technology and Software
  3. 03Media, Film, and Animation
  4. 04Music and Audio Production
  5. 05Natural Sciences and Research
  6. 06STEM, Engineering, and Inventions
  7. 07Financial Education and Entrepreneurship
  8. 08Cultural and Global Education
  9. 09Leadership and Community Development
  10. 10Publishing and Intellectual Property

Board of Directors

Our Leadership

Three officers guide the Academy with clear stewardship, accountable governance, and a shared commitment to community impact.

Chairwoman

Jamieshia Younger

Leads the organization’s mission, programs, and community vision.

Board Office

Treasurer

Oversees the organization’s finances and financial reporting.

Board Office

Secretary

Keeps the organization’s records and board documentation.

Our mission

Build skills. Open doors. Strengthen legacy.

We help young people and families gain the knowledge, tools, and experiences to move with greater confidence today and create more opportunity for tomorrow.

  • Practical life skills
  • Youth sports and wellness
  • Travel learning
  • Direct community support
Donate to the mission

Why give to YLA

Your funding can move developed ideas into community access.

YLA has a connected vision for education, creative media, practical learning, and community support. Philanthropic investment can help finish materials, test learning experiences, equip programs, and expand responsible delivery in Cleveland.

Start a funding conversation
  1. 01Specific work to advanceDeveloped curriculum, named programs, production plans, and documented content give funders clear starting points.
  2. 02Multiple ways to reach learnersBooks, audio, video, workshops, apps, mentoring, sports, and cultural experiences reinforce practical knowledge.
  3. 03Community centered designPrograms connect education with wellness, family participation, local support, and lifelong independence.
  4. 04A vision built to growSupport can underwrite a focused pilot today while strengthening a broader educational ecosystem for tomorrow.

Live raffle · Tickets open now

Win a PlayStation 5 and Support Younger Legacy Academy

Raffle tickets are open now. Enter for a chance to win a PlayStation 5 console while funding YLA programs for learners and families.

$10

1 raffle ticket

$40

5 raffle tickets

$100

12 raffle tickets

  • PrizePlayStation 5 console · $500 value
  • DrawingThursday, December 17, 2026 · 7:00–9:00 PM ET · Winner drawn live
  • Goal200 tickets · $2,000 raised for YLA programs
Get raffle tickets

Open to Ohio residents 18 and older.

News and updates

Latest from YLA

Recent milestones in transparency, community impact, and free real-life education.

YLA earns the 2026 Gold Seal of Transparency

The Younger Legacy Academy earned Candid’s 2026 Gold Seal of Transparency.

2025 impact: 500 lives reached

YLA impacted 500 lives and raised $50,000 in 2025.

All 50 real-life lesson plans are live

All 50 free real-life lesson plans are available at goyfa.org with a free account.

Questions and answers

Frequently asked questions.

Clear answers for learners, families, volunteers, donors, and community partners.

What is The Younger Legacy Academy?

YLA is an Ohio 501(c)(3) public charity focused on education, community development, financial literacy, wellness, technology, practical life skills, and direct community support.

Who do you serve?

YLA serves young people, families, adult learners, and underserved communities through learning resources, workshops, mentoring concepts, creative media, and community support programs.

Is my donation tax deductible?

YLA is a 501(c)(3) public charity, and contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. EIN 33-3593335. A qualified tax professional can advise you about your specific situation.

How do I volunteer?

Complete the Volunteer Enrollment form on this page. If you have a question before applying, email jyounger@goyfa.org.

Where are you located?

YLA is based in the Cleveland, Ohio area and also serves families across the Tampa Bay, Florida area, with programs designed for local community access in both places and educational reach beyond. Florida development outreach is led by SirWally.

Are programs enrolling now?

Enrollment timing varies by program. Email jyounger@goyfa.org to ask which workshops, learning opportunities, or community programs are currently accepting interest.

Volunteer with YLA

Bring your time, skills, and care to the mission.

Complete the Volunteer Enrollment form below. YLA will review your interests, availability, and experience, then follow up about current opportunities.

If the form does not appear, open it in a new tab. For questions, email jyounger@goyfa.org.

Open volunteer form

Move the work forward

There is more than one way to invest in a stronger future.

Individuals, businesses, educators, and community partners can help expand access to practical learning and meaningful experiences.

  1. 01 Sponsor a programHelp make a workshop, learning experience, or community event possible.
  2. 02 Give resourcesContribute supplies, technology, food, services, or professional expertise.
  3. 03 Build a partnershipWork with us on education, wellness, technology, travel learning, or community support.

Let’s create the next opportunity together.

Contact YLA in Cleveland, Ohio at jyounger@goyfa.org to support a program, contribute resources, volunteer expertise, explore a partnership, or receive Academy updates by email.

Ways to donate