United Action for Youth was founded in 1970 by a group of conscientious objectors to provide a place for teenagers to create positive relationships with adults. In 1983, UAY purchased a house to serve as a dedicated Youth Center after sharing space with other organizations. At around that same time, the concept of “Unconditional Positive Regard,” a psychological framework developed by Dr. Carl Rogers, became infused in UAY’s programs. Unconditional Positive Regard, or UPR, meant that UAY staff, volunteers, and youth would welcome each other earnestly regardless of background, need, lifestyle, or beliefs, and celebrate their creative strengths and differences. UAY’s staff were trained to discuss youth’s interests, ambitions, and the challenges the youth was facing to get to know them as an individual. UPR has been foundational to the positive relationships UAY’s staff build with young people. Over the decades, UAY has added new programs to serve the needs of teenagers and young adults, including housing and support for young people experiencing homelessness, providing education and supplies for young parents, crisis, mediation, and advocacy programs, LGBTQ+ specific supports, and criminal diversion, among others. Currently, United Action for Youth serves over 3,500 young people and families in Eastern Iowa across all of its programs. In addition to an expanded scope of services, United Action for Youth’s geographic scope has grown over the years as well. Street Outreach programs where UAY staff interacted with young people across Johnson county allowed an expanded way for young people to be seen and receive support services. The Youth Center moved down Iowa Avenue twice, before settling at its current location at 355 Iowa Avenue. Once a week, Youth Center programs are offered at the Ranshaw House in North Liberty to ensure music, art, and hangout programs are accessible to young people outside of Iowa City. Programs such as the Crisis, Advocacy, and Mediation team, Health Education, SPARK talks, and art clubs operate at area elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the Iowa City Community School District in rural and urban communities.