History

All great ideas start with a spark. The spark behind Ignitus is the incredible success of Youth Crime Watch of America. Born in Miami, Florida in 1979, as the city was reeling from a recession, high unemployment, rampant crime and drug abuse and community outrage over social injustice, Youth Crime Watch became an outlet to empower the area’s young people to take an active role in shaping the world around them.

The pilot program was launched at North Miami Beach Senior High School. Students learned that they could safely report crimes and drug abuse. And the results were astonishing. In the very first year, the school’s drug problems were reduced 50%. Chain snatchings were reduced 75%. And morale in the school went through the roof.

In 1986, Youth Crime Watch went national, winning the recognition of Presidents Clinton, Bush and Reagan, along with praise from the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice.

What started with a single school has since become over 500, in communities throughout the United States, and in 20 countries across 5 continents. And the results have been the same everywhere the program has been implemented: Crime goes down. Morale goes up.

Youth Crime Watch has served society well for more than 30 years. Those first young crime watchers are all grown up now, with children of their own. The time has come for the youth of yesterday to pass the torch to the adults of tomorrow. The spark of genius that inspired Youth Crime Watch becomes the fuel for Ignitus Worldwide, allowing us to reach even further into the community with an ever-expanding array of programs, activities and opportunities for young people around the world.

Our goal remains the same: To provide youth-powered solutions for a better tomorrow.