By Daily Press staff
Longtime Santa Monica community member Allan Young has captured the spirit of youth. The Spirit of Youth Foundation announced earlier this month at a garden party hosted by the British Consul General Bob Peirce and Ms. Sharon Harroun, the first Annual Spirit Awards were presented to Allan Young and John W. Mack. The award is given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of youth.
Young, president and CEO of the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club has grown up in the club since 1956, and became president in 1979 and is credited with its and the Southern California’s Boys and Girls Club success and expansion. His dedication to youth has been recognized with many awards.
Mack, who recently retired as president of the Los Angeles Urban League after heading the league for almost 36 years, has worked tirelessly for the advancement of young people. Mack began his career with the Urban League in Flint, Mich. in 1964 and was appointed executive director in 1965. Mack continues his community work as president of Los Angeles Police Commission and board member of numerous community nonprofit organizations.
Spirit of Youth Foundation was formed in 1993 by its chairman Dennis Storer, then executive director of the British Business Council, in the aftermath of the Los Angeles Riots, in the recognition that the future’s leaders need to know and understand diversity. Its primary role is to help youth with disadvantaged backgrounds, and who have leadership capabilities, to travel to foreign countries to experience culture, history and democracies, and establish enduring friendships.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 10, 2006. Read the original PDF.