WHO we are
We believe empowerment is the key to long-term change.
Mission
To protect and empower our world's young.
Vision
A rising generation free to thrive and create positive change in their communities.
It’s not a hand out.
It’s a hand up.
Young Living completely covers the Foundation’s administrative costs to ensure that100 percentof your donations go directly to those in need,every time.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
It started by recognizing potential where others saw despair.
While living in Ecuador to discover and cultivate natural essential oils indigenous to the area, Young Living Founder and Chairman of the Board D. Gary Young noticed several children entering a run-down building in the small, rural town of Chongon. He passed the building nearly every day on the road to the Young Living Farm outside of Guayaquil. One day, he decided to take a look for himself. Inside he saw 42 first- through sixth-grade students crammed into one tiny room, forced to share limited supplies and sitting at broken tables while their volunteer teacher gave lessons on a damaged chalkboard.
It was unlike anything he had ever seen. How could these children learn, grow, and thrive in these conditions? They deserved better. Much better.
Responding to the need he saw, Gary worked with local community leaders to build the beautiful Young Living Academy in Chongon, Ecuador.
With a passion to serve, Gary and his wife, Young Living Cofounder and CEO Mary Young, went to work to give the children of Chongon the best schooling possible. It started with building a new, advanced school from the ground up. In April 2009 the Young Living Academy opened its doors to 83 students. Word got out quickly and more students with dreams to succeed pleaded to join the Academy. There was no way we could turn them away.
The Young Living Academy soon took in 100 students, then 150, then 200. It continues to grow and expand and now educates 350 students in grades pre-K–12.
Most children in Ecuador drop out by the 8th grade. The Young Living Academy has a 97 percent attendance rate, and our graduates are on the road to becoming leaders in their communities.
On March 9, 2016, the Academy held its first graduation ceremony. With a total of 12 students graduating, the class of 2016 boasted a 100 percent graduation rate. Since then, the Academy has maintained a 100 percent graduation rate. An impressive accomplishment at any school, this rate is especially striking given that the local graduation average was less than 20 percent when the Academy started.
The opening of the academy in 2009 marked the start of The D. Gary Young, Young Living Foundation.
Over the years the Foundation has evolved into the primary avenue through which Young Living Essential Oils demonstrates its commitment to helping families and communities worldwide. Gary ran the Foundation as Chairman of the Board until his passing in 2018, but his passion for serving and empowering individuals far beyond their present circumstances continues to guide the Foundation. Following his lead, the Foundation is dedicated to improving lives with more impact than ever before.
It started by recognizing potential where others saw despair; by listening to voices not yet heard. And that’s how we operate today. With every project we initiate, every partner with whom we collaborate, or disaster that we respond to, we first look to help those who have received far too little attention.
