In 1976, the Mayor and staff of the City of New Haven met with leaders of youth-serving programs in New Haven to address concerns about how youth would fare during the idle summer months and increasing the availability summer programming.   After the initial meeting, leaders reached out to additional community-based organizations and weekly meetings were organized to plan summer activities, expand playgrounds, run summer camp programs and urge for more funding for youth development. 

In the 1970s, a free breakfast program was started as well as a summer feeding program for youth, and the funds for youth-serving programs to hire school buses for summer field trips.  Securing funds for summer jobs for youth was a huge accomplishment in New Haven.

Throughout the 1980s, CWYC disseminated funds to youth-serving organizations to community-based organizations to employ youth.

In the 1990s, CWYC focused on coalition-building activities.  In March 1992, Citywide Youth Coalition incorporated to secure youth services funds and support coalition-building within the community around the needs of youth.  In 1993, the Youth Development Training and Resource Center was founded in partnership with The Consultation Center and CWYC. In September 1994, CWYC was designated as a 501(c)3 private nonprofit corporation.

Since 2000, CWYC has worked to expand the capacity of youth-serving organizations with training opportunities, networking and advocacy. 

Starting in 2010, we are focusing our efforts specifically on building youth success, including promoting school graduation, family involvement, and youth sense of success.