CROYA serves young adults of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. Students engage in activities with peers to help build confidence and self-esteem and develop leadership skills. The organization now serves more than 2,000 students and conducts nearly 300 programs each year. It is open to youngsters from the 7th to 12th grades that live in Lake Forest, Lake Bluff and Knollwood.

No membership fees are required since CROYA receives most of its operating funds from the City of Lake Forest, the Village of Lake Bluff and an active fund-raising effort. A private non-profit foundation was established in 2004. A historical milestone occurred in 2007 when CROYA opened its new multi-purpose Student Union, greatly expanding its floor space and adding many new facilities.