Welcome to GYAC!

The Gifford Youth Achievement Center operates to promote a foundation whereby the multiple barriers faced by the citizens of the Gifford Community/Indian River County area may be alleviated and/or replaced by goals that promote the ability of youth and adults to live in a productive community whereby maximizing the quality of their lives. We also envision the Gifford Youth Achievement Center to foster holistic and balanced living by establishing a mechanism for individual growth and development for all residents.

In GYAC's quest to help our parents and students, we held a Children's Mental Health Forum with Guidance Counselor Carrie Williams, Indian River County Sheriff's Office Major Eric Flowers, Jeff Shearer of Tykes & Teens and Dr. Maryam Ghadiri of the Environmental Learning Center. Talk centered around school violence, bullying, identifying students who have mental health issues and some of the ways to build trust and adjust attitudes of the youth. Members of the public, parents and leaders in the community attended what is hoped to be the first in a series of discussions on children's issues.

The Indian River County Sheriff's Office and the Fellsmere, Sebastian and Vero Beach Police Departments joined a panel of GYAC students to begin a Conversation with Law Enforcement. This was just the first step to building relationships and changing the perception of what these officers are about and do for the community. The students were able to ask questions and interact with LEO including ones that might be on their campuses as School Resource Officers in the future. It was deemed a successful forum by students and officers.

STARRY NIGHT FUNDRAISER - We hope you are able to join the Gifford community for this event to help support the GYAC Building Expansion Fund so we can eliminate the yearly waiting list for students!