Urban Youth Impact History

Knowing that God was calling him to minister to inner-city kids, Founder and President Bill Hobbs left his professional golf career in 1988 to work with at-risk youth in Palm Beach County.  In 1997, he and his wife, Kerry, took another leap of faith by starting Urban Youth Impact (UYI).

UYI began simply.  Bill would load up his car with sports equipment, find an empty lot in the inner-city of West Palm Beach, and invite the neighborhood boys to play ball.  As time passed, Bill found himself with the same 25 boys every week.  Pick-up games led to camping trips and home visits, and many opportunities to share God’s love. Because of his consistent compassion for the community, Bill became a trusted friend and father figure to the residents of Tamarind Avenue – one of the highest crime areas in the county.

Because of Bill's fervor, God's faithfulness and a strong group of committed supporters, UYI has grown into a reputable, faith-based non-profit organization.  In 2002, the Nonprofit Resource Institute gave UYI the Crystal Palm Award for Outstanding Emerging Nonprofit Organization.  In 2006, Mayor Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach named UYI the city’s best Faith-Based/Nonprofit Outreach.  UYI has been certified by Non-Profits First since 2008, and in 2010 UYI became a member agency of The Town of Palm Beach United Way.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. ~Psalm 68:5