In a monumental moment for the Indian River County community, the Gifford Youth Achievement Center (GYAC) has received a transformational $1,000,000 gift. This remarkable donation from philanthropist Joan N. Woodhouse is set to create a lasting legacy for local youth in the greater Vero Beach and Gifford areas, officially establishing the Angelia Perry and Freddie L. Woolfork Endowment.
The newly minted endowment serves as a heartfelt tribute to two foundational pillars of the GYAC community: current Executive Director Angelia Perry and the late Freddie L. Woolfork, who formerly served as the Director of Public Relations and Facilities Operations. Together, their combined 47 years of service have profoundly shaped the organization. This generous fund is dedicated to ensuring the long-term success of the center’s vital Youth Employability Program (YEP).
Since its inception during the 2021-2022 school year—originally kickstarted by a generous $100,000 grant from Indian River Impact 100—YEP has been a cornerstone of local career development. The initiative empowers young people by providing them with paid work experiences, professional mentorship, and career exploration. Expanding from an initial cohort of 23 students to supporting more than 60 annually, the program equips participants with the tools they need to succeed both personally and professionally. To date, it has served over 106 local youths.
Students participating in the GYAC Youth Employability Program gain unparalleled access to:
- Paid internships and hands-on workforce opportunities
- Comprehensive career readiness and leadership training
- Direct mentorship from seasoned industry professionals
- Crucial financial literacy and practical workplace skills development
- Valuable networking and career exploration experiences
- Exposure to diverse local industries, including healthcare, hospitality, accounting, engineering, culinary arts, and golf course maintenance
The economic footprint of YEP on the Treasure Coast is already substantial. The program has generated over $250,000 in earned wages for its youth participants. By partnering with 51 local employers and community organizations, such as Quail Valley and Sorenson Real Estate, the initiative boasts a phenomenal 95 percent success rate for program completion and post-program placement in education, employment, or training pathways.
This hands-on approach is actively changing lives. For instance, Tyjah W., a student who joined the program’s inaugural cohort in the eighth grade and recently graduated from Vero Beach High School, credits the program with giving her the confidence and clarity to pursue a career in journalism.
“This transformational gift will create life-changing opportunities for GYAC students by expanding our Youth Employability Program. This generous investment will provide meaningful summer internship experiences that help students build workplace skills, gain confidence, and prepare for successful futures. We are deeply grateful for Joan’s extraordinary commitment to empowering the next generation.”
Joan N. Woodhouse, who has championed the GYAC since its early days nearly three decades ago, emphasized that the endowment is designed to give Gifford’s youth a meaningful advantage in the workforce, ultimately securing their future economic independence. Jay Lundy, Sr., Director of Youth Employability at the GYAC, echoed this sentiment, noting that for local interns and their families, the program is a vital bridge to confidence, financial stability, and generational opportunity.
As the Youth Employability Program continues to expand its footprint in Indian River County, this $1 million endowment guarantees that the GYAC will remain a beacon of hope and opportunity for underserved youth. For local families and aspiring young professionals, this profound investment proves that when the community invests in its youth, the returns are truly limitless.
