The Clayton Way

Our Mission

Clayton serves communities of North Texas by providing quality programs that foster the emotional, social, and educational development of children, youth, and families. Our goal is to provide after school and summer day camp programs that prepare children to live great lives as community leaders, responsible and caring adults and effective members of the workforce.

Our Story

In 1975, the neighborhood around Lily B. Clayton Elementary in Fort Worth ISD was changing and the school was in danger of closing due to a decline in student enrollment. At the same time, many mothers were entering the workforce in the nearby Fort Worth Medical Center and were struggling to find safe, reliable childcare after school.

Determined to find solutions, a small group of parents and teachers from Lily B. Clayton collaborated with leaders in Fort Worth ISD to develop an after school program that would benefit children, families, and the school district. This program not only solved issues for parents and schools, but also created supportive community within the school. Only a few short years later, another Fort Worth ISD school asked the newly formed nonprofit, Clayton Child Care to start a similar program and Clayton began to grow.

While we have grown from one campus to serving over 60, Clayton parents still serve on our Board of Directors and our commitment to building nurturing communities within our schools remains the same. Read more about what makes Clayton Youth Enrichment unique.

Moments and Memories Captured Over 50 Years

Explore our gallery to see cherished moments from Clayton Youth Enrichment’s history. These photos showcase the people, events, and memories that have defined our community over the past 50 years.

1975
1990
1993
2000
2002
2003
2006
2011
2014
2016
2016
2017
2017
2017
2018
2020
2020
2021
2021
2023
2025

1975

Lily B. Clayton Child Care Center opens in Ft. Worth ISD with 27 students

1990

Services expand to Birdville ISD

1993

Services expand to Keller ISD

 

2000

Partners with the Ft. Worth After School initiative

2002

"Clayton Child Care" rebrands to "Clayton YES!" (Youth Enrichment Services)

2003

Partners with Ft. Worth ISD to launch 21st Century Community Learning Centers

2006

Became child care partner with Colonial PGA tournament

2011

Receives 21st Century Learning Center grant to provide free programs at 10 Ft. Worth ISD schools

2014

Founding Partner with One Safe Place for early learning initiatives

2016

Receives second 21st Century Learning Center grant to provide free programs at 10 Ft. Worth ISD schools

2016

Services expand to Crowley ISD

2017

"Clayton Yes!" rebrands to Clayton Youth Enrichment

2017

Pilots a Social Emotional Learning Initiative

2017

Begins offering school-day enrichment programs

2018

Services expand to Dallas County through a partnership with Trinity Basin Preparatory Schools

2020

CEO Jason Ray co-chairs the Tarrant County School-Age Child Care Task Force

2020

Provides child care for essential workers during critical times

2021

Receives third 21st Century Learning Center grant to provide free programs at 9 Ft. Worth ISD schools

2021

Clayton Community Center opens in Ft. Worth's Meadowbrook neighborhood

2023

Expands early learning program with second location in Near Southside neighborhood

2025

Celebrates 50 years of Preparing Children for Great Lives

1975

Lily B. Clayton Child Care Center opens in Ft. Worth ISD with 27 students

1975

1990

Services expand to Birdville ISD

1990

1993

Services expand to Keller ISD

 

1993

2000

Partners with the Ft. Worth After School initiative

2000

2002

"Clayton Child Care" rebrands to "Clayton YES!" (Youth Enrichment Services)

2002

2003

Partners with Ft. Worth ISD to launch 21st Century Community Learning Centers

2003

2006

Became child care partner with Colonial PGA tournament

2006

2011

Receives 21st Century Learning Center grant to provide free programs at 10 Ft. Worth ISD schools

2011

2014

Founding Partner with One Safe Place for early learning initiatives

2014

2016

Receives second 21st Century Learning Center grant to provide free programs at 10 Ft. Worth ISD schools

2016

2016

Services expand to Crowley ISD

2016

2017

"Clayton Yes!" rebrands to Clayton Youth Enrichment

2017

2017

Pilots a Social Emotional Learning Initiative

2017

2017

Begins offering school-day enrichment programs

2017

2018

Services expand to Dallas County through a partnership with Trinity Basin Preparatory Schools

2018

2020

CEO Jason Ray co-chairs the Tarrant County School-Age Child Care Task Force

2020

2020

Provides child care for essential workers during critical times

2020

2021

Receives third 21st Century Learning Center grant to provide free programs at 9 Ft. Worth ISD schools

2021

2021

Clayton Community Center opens in Ft. Worth's Meadowbrook neighborhood

2021

2023

Expands early learning program with second location in Near Southside neighborhood

2023

2025

Celebrates 50 years of Preparing Children for Great Lives

2025