Creating the footprint...

Letter from the Founder

You Run This Foundation evolved from a dream.   Just like any beginning, it started from the heart, goals created, putting in long hours, sleepless nights, the work was endless and gratifying to make it happen.  The drive to launch this foundation was personal. Stories that were unforgettable.  It was the moment of helplessness, the feeling that I wanted to do more, but the timing was not on my side. 

Growing up in the inner city of Long Beach, California, experiencing the hardship of an immigrated family, seeing the struggles of my peers suffering from mental health, the lack of resources and support, dreams crushed by tradition, initiated my journey to this organization and to help share our stories to the next generation.  

You Run This Town Foundation’s mission is to make youth our priority.  They are the most influential and at the same time, the most highly influenced.  Giving our youth any opportunities to grow and learn, to be the best, build resilience and confidence, and to be great leaders, is key to help increase their quality of life.  

We’re in an era of great inspiration and possibility.  Technology has given us the platform to transform our thoughts and ideas to make an impressionable impact.  We have the power to influence and potential to help tackle important problems in today’s youth.  This foundation was built from the support of our friends, family, team, and the community.

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Our footprint starts here.

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You Run This Town Foundation runs on love and if you have the love,

please send it our way!  

Forever grateful and looking forward to the future together, 

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You Run This Town Foundation's Founder

and Executive Director for the Greater Los Angeles community

Michelle Pagtakhan

Fred Noya  

Co-Founder & Executive Director

for the Greater Orange County

Fred is a believer that every youth has an opportunity for change. With almost 30 years of law enforcement experience, Fred has devoted his service to work with at-risk youths who felt their life is pre-determined by their environment.  

Through his successful self-started program with LASD, he offered youths a path by providing services and mentors, educational and career opportunities, all that would help build confidence and drive for a pretentious positive outlook on life.