Eleanor J. Johnson Youth Center

The Eleanor J. Johnson Youth Center was founded in 1997 to provide a safe environment for the youth of public housing, especially after school and during the summer school vacations.  The Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority provides a building, utilities, some furniture and equipment to house the Youth Center.

The Youth Center contributes to their members in many ways that set them apart from any other youth organization in Fort Walton Beach.  The camaraderie and fellowship that comes from having a center that belongs to kids themselves satisfies their desire to be a part of something exclusive.  For them its a home away from home, especially for those from disadvantaged living environments.  The Center also provides consistent adult encouragement, guidance and support that often is missing in young people's lives.

The Youth Center's goal is to ensure all members a thoroughly enriching education and recreational program at the very low cost of $20 per year.

Approximately 200 youth, ages 6-15, live in public housing in Fort Walton Beach.  95% of these children come from working, single parent homes.

For $20 per year the EJJYC provides them with an after-school program from 2:00-6:00 during the school year and a Summer Program from 10:00-5:00 Monday through Friday.

These programs provide much more than a babysitting service, they offer:

The EJJYC needs your help to continue providing these programs.

To become a sponsor or if you have any questions about our organization or its programs, please contact Todd Gatlin at (850) 244-5991.