JC Montenegro and Salesian Family Youth Center Announce Annual Impact Milestone Reaching Over 2,000 Youth
LOS ANGELES, CA, October 2025 – The Salesian Family Youth Center (SFYC), led by JC Montenegro, has reached a new milestone in its mission to serve youth and families in Boyle Heights. Over the past year, more than 2,000 young people have participated in programs that foster leadership, faith, and community.
A Mission Measured in Stories
For JC Montenegro, progress is a personal matter. Every number represents a young person finding direction, confidence, and purpose. “This milestone is about each student who grew, each volunteer who gave time, and every moment that restored hope,” said JC Montenegro, Executive Director of Salesian Family Youth Center. “Kindness and community remain the foundation of every success story we see.”
Building Change Together
SFYC’s work thrives on collaboration. Local schools, parishes, and community groups partner with the Center to offer mentoring, tutoring, and leadership training. The partnerships are built on listening and shared responsibility. Montenegro believes that growth happens when people walk side by side, not when one person walks alone.
From Local to Global Impact
While SFYC’s roots are in Los Angeles, its approach to education and service reaches far beyond the city. The model is now studied by educators and youth ministers in other Salesian communities around the world. Montenegro continues to exchange ideas across cultures, combining practical education with compassion and faith.
A Life Formed by Service
JC Montenegro was born in Quito, Ecuador, and began his journey of service at the age of eighteen when he joined the Salesian Volunteer Program. He spent a year working with young people in the Amazon jungle, an experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to youth empowerment and education.
Over the years, he has led mission trips, taught leadership development, and advised community programs across several countries. His leadership at SFYC reflects that same global perspective, rooted in faith and focused on the individual potential of every young person.
About JC Montenegro
JC Montenegro is a faith-based youth leadership speaker and empowerment mentor from Quito, Ecuador. His commitment to service began at eighteen when he joined the Salesian Volunteer Program and spent a year working with young people in the Amazon jungle, an experience that shaped his lifelong mission to educate and empower youth.
He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Commercial Engineering from Escuela Politécnica del Ejército Ecuatoriano, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, a Master’s in Youth Ministry from the Salesian University of Ecuador, and a Ph.D. in Individual, Family, and Society from the University of Comillas in Spain.
Montenegro has led mission trips and community initiatives across several countries and continues to serve through local outreach and education programs that strengthen families and develop future leaders.
Watch his TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/awJhNANVht8
About Salesian Family Youth Center
The Salesian Family Youth Center in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, offers mentorship, academic support, and faith-based formation to youth and their families. Guided by Salesian values of faith, family, and service, SFYC promotes a sense of belonging, fosters leadership, and encourages lifelong learning.
Website: https://salesianclubs-la.org
Instagram: @kawarim
LinkedIn: JC Montenegro phd
