Our History

As a community-based nonprofit, we have a history of serving the underserved and economically disadvantaged in the greater York area and beyond for 91 years.

Today, we help people thrive and not just survive through education, job training, social, and housing opportunities. We give rise to the possible.

Our name was inspired by an African American man named Crispus Attucks who escaped from slavery and later became the first person to die in the fight for the independence of America from the hands of the British. Attucks is credited with leading the Boston Massacre, which is thought to be the spark of the American Revolution.

Timeline

1931
Crispus Attucks York is founded by Dr. George Bowles and Reverend Orr to meet the social and educational needs of African Americans in York City who would not be served elsewhere.

1944
Crispus Attucks York outgrows its building and moves to an old church at 44 East Maple Street.

1968-1969
Racial tensions in the community explode, resulting in the York Race Riots. The Mayor declares a state of emergency, and the PA National Guard is brought in to assist York City police in calming the violence.

1969
Crispus Attucks York continues to provide services to the community during this tense time and outgrows its building again. Leaders begin construction on a community center on South Duke Street that will bring individuals and families of all races together.

1971-1979
Crispus Attucks York experiences the turnover of 7 executive directors, who did not want to live in the city due to its dangers.

1979
Crispus Attucks York Board Members, Dan Elby and Ray Crenshaw, ask Bobby Simpson to serve as interim executive director. Mr. Simpson agrees and brings stability to Crispus Attucks York for the next 40 years, developing programs to address the root issues in York City.

1980
The Youth Against Drugs Program (now Rising STARS) is created to provide a safe and educational space for youth after school. Crispus Attucks York begins renovating properties in the Southeast Neighborhood of York.
1986
The Employment & Training Center is opened.
1994
The Crispus Attucks Charter School is founded and modeled after the New York Youth Action Program to help high school dropouts reclaim their education and their community.

1995
The Active Living Center is opened.

1999
The Crispus Attucks Charter School receives charter school status approval, officially becoming an accredited Pennsylvania Charter School and the first charter school in York City.
2000
Crispus Attucks York, along with the City of York, change George Street into a two-way street.
2001
The Loretta Claiborne Building renovation is completed, bringing needed health services to the city.
2002
The Himes Motor Company Building is renovated to house Junior Achievement, providing financial literacy workshops to the city.
2006
The Greenway Tech Centre renovation is completed, the first green office building in York County.
2010
The Early Learning Center building is completed to meet the need for quality and affordable childcare in the city.
2016
The Goodridge Freedom Center & Underground Railroad Museum is opened after several years of renovations.