Stephanie A. Walker Stradford established the brand, YouthUSA, on September 7, 1993 in honor of her maternal grandmother's lifelong investment in Christian values, youth and families. She was endowed as the first senior advisor, GrandMentor, of YouthUSA.

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Born September of 1897,Laurena Puriefoy Walkerserved Philadelphia's Beulah Baptist Church as a Deaconess and a Willing Worker. She endowed her grandchild with a spirit of light that would shine beyond her own human existence. 

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In 1994, Stephanie marriedEric Stradford, a retired US Marine Gunnery Sergeant who, like Stephanie, worked in the communications field.​

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The couple forged a partnership around Christian values and common vision.  Their commitment to achieve#NoPoverty2030builds on a faith-based reality, "All things are possible."  

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They have developed the YouthUSA Money-n-the-Bank app to engage youth in growing up less poor.

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