Meet Claressa Williams

We were lucky to catch up with Claressa Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Claressa, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Growing up in the heart of South Central Los Angeles, I was a latchkey kid. The streets outside were alive with energy, but inside my home, the silence was deafening. Most afternoons, I’d let myself in, drop my backpack, and fill the empty space with daydreams. Then, one day, when I was 10, my mom asked me a question that ignited my passion and activated my purpose:

“Ressa, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

At the time, I didn’t have the words, but I had a vision. I imagined a place where kids like me didn’t have to spend their afternoons alone. A space filled with music, movement, and creativity—a home away from home where we could be loud, free, and seen.

Purpose is not found; it’s discovered. It’s intrinsic, encrypted in your DNA, waiting to be revealed over time as you journey through life. Purpose is a gift from God. The greatest fulfillment comes when you find the courage to live, move, and serve on purpose.

That dream took root in my heart and never let go. Fourteen years ago, it became a reality.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

A Creative Sanctuary for Tweens & Teens
Today, the Youth Life Center of The Arts is more than just a space—it’s a movement. It’s a place where tweens and teens, our NextGen Trailblazers in Training, find their voices through the arts. From spoken word to theater, from music to dance, the stage becomes their canvas—a place to release, heal, and grow.

But the magic doesn’t stop there. Our programs go beyond performance, introducing youth to fine arts, digital media, culinary arts, fashion, photography, music production, and even martial arts. Each program is designed to spark curiosity, cultivate talent, and equip our youth with real-world skills.

Why Now? Why NextGen Youth?
Tweens and teens stand at a pivotal crossroads—shaped by their environment, their access to opportunity, and the mentors who believe in them. Many of them, like I once was, are latchkey kids, left to navigate life alone after school. Without guidance, they are vulnerable to distractions that could derail their future.

They don’t just need programs—they need a community. They need a safe place to be seen, heard, and empowered.

Be the Reason a Latchkey Kid Finds Their Purpose
Too many of our Trailblazers in Training are still waiting for their chance to step through our doors. You have the power to change that.

By joining the NextGen Trailblazers in Training Initiative, you can sponsor a latchkey kid and give them access to the Youth Life Center Experience—a place where they can discover their passion, develop lifelong skills, and build a future filled with possibilities.

Together, we can ensure that no tween or teen walks home to an empty house without a place to belong.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The Three Pillars of My Journey: Faith, Perseverance, and Embracing Change
Looking back on my journey—from a latchkey kid in South Central Los Angeles to founding the Youth Life Center of The Arts—there are three qualities that shaped everything I’ve built: unwavering faith, relentless perseverance, and a willingness to embrace change. These weren’t just traits I picked up along the way; they were the foundation that allowed me to turn a childhood vision into a thriving movement for the next generation.

1. Unwavering Faith: The Foundation of Purpose
Faith has always been my compass. It’s what gave me the audacity to believe that a young girl with a dream could create something that would change lives. Faith isn’t just about believing in what you can see—it’s about trusting in what’s possible, even when there’s no evidence yet. It’s the confidence that your purpose is divinely given and that you are equipped to carry it out, no matter the obstacles.

For those just beginning their journey, I encourage you to anchor yourself in something bigger than your circumstances. Whether that’s your faith in God, in your mission, or in the impact you are called to make, hold onto it tightly. Faith isn’t just believing—it’s acting on belief. Speak life into your dreams, pray over them, and take bold steps forward, even when the path isn’t clear.

2. Perseverance: The Power to Never Quit
Dreams don’t come easy. If they did, everyone would live out their purpose without resistance. The difference between those who succeed and those who give up is perseverance.

There were moments in my journey when giving up seemed like the easier choice—when funding was scarce, when challenges felt overwhelming, when the weight of responsibility pressed down. But I made a decision early on: quitting was never an option. When obstacles arose, I learned to see them as stepping stones, not roadblocks.

For those starting their journey, understand this: success isn’t about talent alone—it’s about endurance. Develop resilience by embracing setbacks as part of the process. When you face rejection, see it as redirection. When doors close, build your own. Surround yourself with people who remind you why you started. Keep showing up, even on the hardest days, because your purpose is too important to abandon.

3. Willingness to Embrace Change: The Key to Growth
Nothing in life remains the same. Seasons shift, challenges evolve, and what worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. If I had clung too tightly to comfort, the Youth Life Center of The Arts wouldn’t be what it is today. Growth required me to adapt, innovate, and be willing to step into the unknown.

Embracing change means being a lifelong learner. It means recognizing that transformation is necessary for impact. Over the years, I’ve expanded my vision, integrated new programs, and redefined how we serve NextGen Youth. I had to be willing to listen, learn, and pivot when needed.

For those at the beginning of their journey, my advice is this: stay open. Be willing to evolve. Learn new skills, seek mentorship, and don’t fear reinvention. The most successful people aren’t those who resist change but those who leverage it. Be flexible in your methods but unwavering in your mission.

Final Words: Your Journey Starts Now
Faith, perseverance, and adaptability—these are the pillars that built my purpose-driven life. If you’re early in your journey, start cultivating these qualities now. Trust in your calling, push forward when challenges arise, and embrace change as the fuel for your growth.

The world needs what only you can offer. Walk boldly in your purpose, and never stop moving forward.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

The Biggest Challenge We Face & How We’re Overcoming It
The number one challenge we are currently facing is financial uncertainty, a reality that many nonprofits serving underserved communities know all too well. Earlier this year, we came dangerously close to closing our doors when a pause in funding from the current administration disrupted our ability to sustain operations. It was a sobering moment—a reminder that when resources are scarce, the very programs that provide hope, stability, and opportunity for our youth are often the first to be at risk.

But here’s the truth: our mission is too important to be left to chance. The Youth Life Center of The Arts isn’t just an afterschool program—it’s a lifeline, a launchpad, and a home for the next generation of leaders, creators, and innovators. We refuse to let funding challenges dictate whether our Trailblazers in Training have access to a safe space where they can discover their potential.

How We’re Overcoming It
We are taking bold steps to diversify our funding sources so that our ability to serve isn’t solely dependent on one stream of support. Our strategy includes:

✅ Expanding Our Donor Network – We are actively engaging individuals, businesses, and foundations that believe in investing in the future of our youth. Monthly giving programs, crowdfunding campaigns, and strategic partnerships will help create a more sustainable funding model.

✅ Strengthening Corporate and Community Partnerships – We are forging new alliances with businesses and community leaders who see the value in empowering the next generation. By aligning with companies that share our vision, we can unlock new funding opportunities while also offering meaningful ways for organizations to engage with our mission.

✅ Pursuing Grant Opportunities – While grant funding is competitive, we are aggressively pursuing both private and public grants that align with our mission. We are refining our grant-writing process to secure long-term investments in our programs.

✅ Developing Social Enterprise Initiatives – We are exploring ways to generate self-sustaining revenue through creative arts programs, youth-led productions, and community-based initiatives that not only fund our work but also equip our youth with entrepreneurial skills.

Why This Moment Matters
This challenge has reinforced our unshakable faith and determination to keep pushing forward. We know that the Youth Life Center of The Arts is needed now more than ever, and we are committed to ensuring that no tween or teen is left without a place to belong, express, and grow.

To those reading this—we need you. Whether through donations, sponsorships, or partnerships, you have the power to help us keep our doors open and expand our reach. Every dollar invested in our programs is a direct investment in the future of our Trailblazers in Training.

The work must continue, and with the right support, it will. Together, we can ensure that no funding crisis will ever stand in the way of a young person’s opportunity to dream, create, and thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://youthlifecenter.org
• Instagram: @youthlifecenter
• Facebook: @youthlifecenter
• Youtube: @youthlifecenter

Image Credits

N/A