Woman’s Club of Fullerton Supports New Higher Ground Youth Center

The Woman’s Club of Fullerton (WCOF) recently donated $1,500 to the new Fullerton campus of Higher Ground Youth & Family Services to help furnish the center with a ping pong table and foosball table. The club also contributed iPads and games valued at approximately $1,500 to help create a welcoming and engaging environment for local youth.

Higher Ground OC, a nonprofit based in Anaheim, was founded in 2012 by Joe Baldo to provide mentorship, mental health services, and community resources to underserved youth and families. The organization was launched in response to a county report highlighting the need for expanded services for families living in under-resourced Orange County communities.

Following a surge in teen participation last summer, Higher Ground expanded its programs by opening a new campus in Fullerton on March 3. The center is located at 1414 S. Brookhurst Street in a former senior center that closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recognizing the opportunity to repurpose the unused facility, Higher Ground partnered with the City of Fullerton to transform the space into a youth and family resource center.

“Our goal is to create a space that’s engaging, relevant, and exciting—one that opens up purpose and possibilities for teens,” said Jesse Payne, Ed.D., CEO of Higher Ground. “We want safe, trusted adults present to build relationships and help guide young people toward positive opportunities.”

Research shows that youth in grades seven through ten face some of the highest risks for academic and social challenges. Higher Ground’s after-school programs provide a safe, supervised place where teens can spend time productively.

The center features comfortable seating areas, games, TVs, computers for homework, music, and calming lighting designed to create a welcoming environment where youth can relax, learn, and connect with peers.
During school hours, the center also serves the broader community by offering programs for parents, including English language classes and workforce development opportunities.

Community support—like the donation from the Women’s Club of Fullerton—helps ensure the center remains a vibrant space where local youth and families can grow, learn, and thrive.

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