Organizational History and Mission

Save Our Children provides intellectual, social and spiritual enrichment opportunities to “at-risk” children and youth who reside in South Elyria regardless of their gender, racial or religious background.

Save Our Children of Elyria, Inc. (“SOC”) is a non-profit organization that was formed out of the youth ministrties of Asbury United Methodist Church (Asbury “UMC”), the oldest Historically Black Church in Elyria, Ohio. Save Our Children was incorporated in June 1996 and received its tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service in November 1997. SOC currently serves approximately 120 youth through its After School, Summer Youth and Teen Youth Council programs. The After School Program serves up to 60 children (1st-6th grade), the majority of whom attend Franklin schools in Elyria. SOC’s eight-week Summer Youth Program provides a wide array of educational enrichment activities and field trips to 80 children and youth in South Elyria. The Teen Youth Council, made up of 20 youth between the ages of 12 and 16, engages in a year-long adventure that challenges them to make a difference in their community through excellence, vision and service.

Our mission is to inspire and cultivate YOUTH LEADERSHIP through handson
activities and opportunities that support

academic excellence,
artistic expression
and leadership through service.