About Runway Youth Development
A newly established 501(c)(3) nonprofit building an affordable, inclusive youth center in Altus, Oklahoma — currently in development, not yet open or enrolling.
Building More Than a Place to Go
Runway Youth Development Inc. is a nonprofit organization building a youth center in Altus where young people can learn, create, connect, lead, and prepare for what comes next — not just a place to be supervised until pickup.
Families in Altus have told us, through direct conversations and our early community survey, that there aren’t enough affordable, structured options for youth after school and during the summer. Runway is being built to close that gap.
Why Runway Exists
Mission
To give young people in Altus a safe, affordable place to learn, create, connect, and grow outside the school day.
Vision
A community where every young person in Altus has access to enriching, structured opportunities — regardless of their family’s income or their individual needs.
More Than Traditional Child Care
Traditional child care is built to hold a space. Runway is being built to help a young person move forward — with real programming behind that promise.
Affordable
Built so cost isn't what keeps a family out.
Safe & professional
Operated with careful oversight from people trained to do this well.
Inclusive
Designed for youth with different strengths, needs, and abilities.
Youth development, not supervision
Structured around growth across six pillars — Discover, Build, Create, Belong, Lead, and Launch — not just watching the clock.
Developed With Altus, Step by Step
Runway is being planned carefully rather than rushed. That means grounding decisions in local research and direct community input before committing to a site, a schedule, or a price.
A specific facility, opening date, and final program list have not been set. We’d rather take the time to get this right than open before Runway is ready to serve Altus well.
Runway is not open or enrolling yet.
Current Organizational Progress
- Oklahoma nonprofit corporation formedComplete
- Federal 501(c)(3) status receivedComplete
- Organizational bank account openedComplete
- Founding board establishedComplete
- Initial Altus demographic research completedComplete
- Community-interest survey launchedComplete
- Program, facility, staffing, funding & operating plansIn progress
Your Input Is Shaping Runway
Take the community survey to help guide what Runway builds, or join the update list to follow along as it happens.