History of the J. Ashburn, Jr. Youth Center, Incorporated

In 1965 a few volunteers of the Oakley Baptist Church began working with a group of boys of the Church and Community, providing them with regular supervised recreational activities in the gymnasium of the Church, located at 64 South Highland Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. Those evenings together began to attract other youth, boys and girls, and it was recognized by the Church's pastor, Dr. Jacob Julian Ashburn, that here was a golden opportunity to provide them with the kind of experience that would be meaningful in their growth and development.

To meet this challenge, with the support of the Church, Dr. Ashburn founded a Youth Center - J. Ashburn, Jr. Youth Center (JAJYC) - named in honor of his father, the Rev. Jacob Ashburn, Jr., who served as pastor of the Oakley Avenue Baptist Church 1917 - 1955, and whose ministry inspired many a youth useful, productive participation in the American society and world community. Dr. Jacob Julian Ashburn served as the Executive Director for the JAJYC from its founding in 1965 until his death in 1984.

Upon his death, the JAJYC's Board of Directors appointed Mrs. Jaymes O. Saunders, former Center Social Worker who worked closely with Dr. Ashburn from the beginning of the establishment of the JAJYC, to serve as Executive Director. Under her dedicated leadership the program of the JAJYC continued to thrive and funds were secured to purchase land and build the current JAJYC building located at 85 South Clarendon Avenue, on the "Hilltop" (Westside of Columbus, Ohio). Mrs. Saunders retired as Executive Director in 2003.

The legacy continues under the leadership of Mr. Keith Neal, Executive Director whose tenure on the staff of the JAJYC spans more than twenty years.