History of the Youth Resource Bank

The Santa Cruz County Youth Resource Bank (YRB) was formed through the inspiration of a juvenile court judge, the Honorable Judge Thomas Black, who had long demonstrated a commitment to youth and his community. In 1984, Judge Black was presiding in his courtroom when a minor appeared before him covering his mouth with his hand. Judge Black repeatedly requested the minor to remove his hand when he spoke. When the young man finally moved his hand, he revealed his very crooked teeth and other dental problems and began to cry. Judge Black asked Lynn C. Miller, the Juvenile Director of probation, what might be done to assist the young man. Mr. Miller asked Judge Black what they might do together. They reached out to a local dentist and an orthodontist to donate the needed work, and the Youth Resource Bank was born.

The Youth Resource Bank founders (including Judge Black and Mr. Miller) quickly realized the difficulties facing similar efforts in neighboring counties, including the lack of sustainability due to dependence on government funding, as well as diversion of resources to overhead and staffing. As a result, YRB was set up as an all-volunteer organization, and in 1989 was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The model has proven extremely successful and the YRB continues to serve thousands of children in need.

Youth Resource Bank also played an important role in the development of the Santa Cruz County tattoo removal program. YRB — working with Dominican Hospital and Dr. Morgan Magid — provided laser tattoo removal, allowing young men and women who have reconsidered their tattoos, often related to gang affiliation, to have them removed in exchange for volunteer service hours or sliding scale payment. Today, Dominican Hospital carries on the tattoo removal program.