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The San Diego East African Youth Organization (EAYO) is a non-profit organization that supports the East African youth community in San Diego between the ages of 13-18.  The organization is open to teenagers of all ethnicities.  The majority of the youth members are from the Somali, Ethiopian, Eritrean and Sudanese ethnic groups.

EAYO was conceived when the Multi-Cultural Relations Office noticed an increase in juvenile crime involving East African youth. Through crime trends research and San Diego Police Department Special Unity feedback, it was determined that the East African youth community needed a mentorship program.  The East African Youth Organization was formed to address complicated issues and needs of the East African youth.  It is supported by a 10 person staff.

The San Diego East African Youth Organization's mission is to provide a safe environment for East African youth to come together to work on cultural and civic events. EAYO provides positive interaction between East African youth and the San Diego Police Department in order to develop leadership and decision-making skills. EAYO endeavors to overcome cultural, language and generational barriers in order to reduce crime and violence among East African youth. 

Through peer support, leadership concepts, and mentorship programs, EAYO strives to achieve its goals, which encompass:

	Offering high-risk youth the opportunity to change behavior trends and focus on self-development,
	Providing youth members high self-esteem and sense of pride,
	Reducing negative activities that adversely affect youth.

To achieve these goals, the East African Youth Organization focuses on providing:

	Peer support through participation and involvement in a safe environment.
	Leadership concepts through youth run activities.
	Mentorship opportunities with positive role models.
	Community services training in the San Diego Area.
	Community education and awareness training through cultural and civic events.
	Provide fund development through community fund raising activities.

EAYO relies on community meetings, cultural events, local high school activities and word-of-mouth to ‘reach out’ to the youth of the San Diego community.  Donations to support EAYO are not directly solicited.  Rather, the San Diego Police Department relies on grants, fundraising, and private sector donations.  Some of the organizations that solicit donations for EAYO include the Somali Family Services of San Diego, UPAC and the Africa Corp.