Our History
2004
Jim Clifton gathers passionate community youth advocates to found an after-school drop-in center for Angwin teens, providing relationships with invested adults and constructive activities.They begin mentor training, a relationship with Howell Mountain Elementary, and the Homeless Christmas in San Francisco tradition.
2005
The ACTC sponsors peer counseling in collaboration with St. Helena Hospital Center for Behavioral Health, collaborates with the St. Helena Family Center on community presentations, hosts "Communities Building Youth" seminars in St. Helena and Angwin, and expands its youth programming.
2006
The St. Helena Hospital Center for Behavioral Health, St. Helena Family Center, and St. Helena Unified join in collaboration on the "Communities Building Youth" seminars. The ACTC starts sponsoring educators and administrators to attend Stanford seminars; peer counseling begins with Pacific Union College Prep and Foothills Elementary; and a weekly St. Helena parent support group is founded.
2007
The Mobile Art Center is created to expand the artistic expression program, new student activities are added, and the ACTC works with St. Helena Unified to meet community youth needs. The "Communities Building Youth" seminars continue with major speakers.
2008
Economic crisis hits, impacting families throughout the Valley. The ACTC gets an influx of requests for help and focuses on providing support for families and youth under pressure. New youth programs and projects are introduced and the Mobile Arts Center makes its St. Helena debut. Nimbus Arts presents Tom Amato and the ACTC with their first Halo Award.
2009
The outdoor and challenge experience program is expanded, as well as the life skills component. The Mobile Art Center connects with the St. Helena Library. The ACTC continues to "triage" the overwhelming needs of families.
2010
Still working to meet high levels of immediate needs among families, the ACTC also begins to focus on building a sustainable foundation in order to fully meet immediate needs and also create healthy community systems that will lessen those needs.
