The SKILLS Foundation was established in 1984 to support implementation of the Quest Skills for Adolescence program.  Originally called the Skills for Adolescence Foundation, our mission was to provide a comprehensive drug prevention, life-skills program to children attending Whittier area schools grades K - 8.

In 1989, Skills for Adolescence became the SKILLS Foundation, and turned our focus on establishing and supporting other programs that help youth lead successful, productive lives. The Whittier Police Department has worked in partnership with the SKILLS Foundation by using asset-forfeiture money seized from drug dealers to provide all administrative costs, including the Executive Director's salary and benefits. This allows all donations to go directly toward our youth program.

This innovated pairing of monies from concerned citizens and drug forfeiture funds has resulted in SKILLS becoming a lead organization supporting youth in the greater Whittier area.