Charlottesville, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/29/2009 -- 919 Marketing, one of North Carolina’s top marketing firms, has been engaged by the Youth Learning Academy, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to assisting at-risk youths develop occupational skills, to help expand their Race 2 Success program nationally.

The mission of Youth Learning Academy (YLA), started in 2003 by President and Founder Tamara Cavanaugh, is to help at-risk youths participate in project-based learning activities that will bolster their academic career and life skills. YLA has created programs focusing on the construction and motorsports industries to prepare their students for successful careers upon graduation.

YLA’s motorsports focus is called the Race 2 Success program. Race 2 Success provides YLA’s students (ages 4-18) with an opportunity to gain knowledge about the motorsports industry through a wide array of activities. These include classroom exercises, guest speakers, hands-on technical instruction, and video conferences with industry experts. The ultimate goal is to teach students the technical skills necessary for successful careers as pit crew members, engineers, or mechanics.

Building on YLA’s regional success, 919 Marketing will increase the national exposure of Race 2 Success by getting athletes and other celebrities involved with the program. 919 Marketing will also drive revenue for Race 2 Success by securing grants and corporate sponsorships.

“We picked 919 Marketing because of their proven ability to bridge the gap between corporations, athletes, and programs like Race 2 Success,” said Cavanaugh. “919 has a unique and insightful understanding of the non-profit world and NASCAR which will be crucial in generating revenue and exposure for our program. Most importantly, 919, of all the firms we interviewed, brings big ideas, creative firepower, and passion we were looking for to the table.”

“YLA and Race 2 Success are right in our sweet-spot,” said David Chapman, 919 Marketing’s Founder and CEO. “This project leverages our extensive non-profit experience and our connections with NASCAR, athletes, and corporate America. We are excited about helping YLA expand their program across the United States.”

About 919 Marketing Company:
919 Marketing is a nationally recognized marketing, consulting and public relations firm with a proven track record of helping underdog companies of all sizes discover their competitive advantage and drive profitable business growth. Headquartered just outside of North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, 919 was founded over a decade ago by CEO David Chapman. 919 is an unconventional firm with an uncanny ability to develop winning marketing strategies for a roster of companies including The Rosetta Stone, Kerr Drug and Jersey Mike’s Subs.

919 marketing provides strategic planning, public relations, interactive marketing and creative development services – each utilizing proven processes that have been refined and validated over hundreds of client engagements. For more information, visit http://www.919marketing.com.

About Youth Leadership Academy:
Youth Leadership Academy is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by Tamara Cavanaugh that works to help young people address their needs in academics, career pursuits and life skills. YLA provides students with structured classes, job shadowing experiences, and many other activities to help them avoid impoverishment and poor life choices.

Race 2 Success is one of YLA’s most successful educational programs. It was initiated to create opportunities for at-risk youths in the design, engineering and motorsports-related fields. Intensive participation in these programs has already improved academic position for many students as measured by GPA, job placement, and in passing the Standards of Learning examinations. For more information, visit http://www.youthlearningacademy.org.