FOUNDERS

The Founder & The Director

James Wallace, IYO's founder, employed the premise that "energies exerted by the youth could be channeled constructively through non-traditional recreation, vocational, cultural and academic activities, all of which should emphasize self-discipline, obedience and fair play." These goals have continued to manifest themselves through the range of program activities which the agency has continued to offer and which are enumerated, in brief, below.

James Wallace has been a motivator and mentor for hundreds of boys and girls of all races, denominations and ages who have come from all over the greater Newark metropolitan area. His wife, Carolyn B. Thompson-Wallace has supported the cause since the early days with a missionary's zeal. Audiences viewing her on television or in person have been moved by the sincerity of her down-to-earth values and folksy wit. James and Carolyn Wallace have received national and local recognition for their unrelenting efforts on behalf of Newark youth and their families. Mr. Wallace is 1 of 3 recipients of the prestigious "OTHERS" from the Salvation Army. He shares this distinction with comedian Bob Hope and President Ronald Reagan.

The Madeline Worth Williams Youth Advocate Award, the highest recognition for community service within the State of New Jersey, was presented to Mrs. Wallace by Governor Jim Florio in 1994. A few of the other prestigious recognitions and awards received are: WCBS's Fulfulling the Dream, Lewis Hines Award—Youth Leadership, United to Serve America Award, Youth Leadership Development; the United Way of Essex & West Hudson, William H. Ashby Award, Community Development, North New Jersey Tuskegee Award, Youth Services, Newark Do Something Award, Youth Services and The New Jersey Governor's Pride Award, Youth Services. IYO has been featured in several documentaries addressing "the family" and "urban youth." The Wallaces and IYO youth have given public testimony at the local, state and national level. IYO's accomplishments have been mentioned on numerous occasions in the local newspapers.