Vision Statement

The Friends of St. Lawrence -Watts Youth Center is a diverse group drawn from the South Los Angeles (Watts) area and neighboring communities.  Its membership includes members of several Catholic parishes, and persons of other faith traditions and communities.  As a support group, it aims to help the youth in the surrounding communities, without regard to religious affiliation.  The Friends pool  resources, both human and financial , to provide the following kinds of programs and support:

• Academic scholarships
• Literacy Center
• Tutoring and Mentoring
• Pro bono legal and  tax services
• Career guidance
• Computer &  tech support
• Recreational & cultural outings
• Counseling
• Health screening

In all of its endeavors, Friends is motivated by humanitarian ideals and spiritual values.  It is guided in all it does by the message of faith, hope and love.

In 1999, Father Peter Banks founded Friends of St. Lawrence-Watts Youth Center because he recognizes that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and the road to improving the quality of life in the inner city. He also believes education is a weapon against the growing gang problem in our neighborhood. Children who achieve success in school are less likely to be lured into gangs. Father Peter brought together leaders of many ethnicities and religions from the local Watts neighborhood and citizens from throughout Los Angeles County committed to sharing their skills.