What makes some neighborhood organizations sanctuaries for inner-city youth is examined in this attempt to explain why some organizations are resources that enable youth to survive the harsh realities of everyday urban life in America. The first chapter contrasts the grim expectations for urban youth with the sense of the hopeful future expressed by some participants in effective neighborhood organizations. Chapter 2 introduces six young people and describes how their involvement in a neighborhood organization is a positive influence. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 introduce the adults who lead the organizations, described by the authors as wizards. In Chapters 6 and 7 those who help the wizards are described. Chapter 8 considers the funding of such organizations, and Chapters 9 and 10 review the obstacles youth organizations and their leaders face in the hypothetical cities described. Chapter 11 reviews some myths about inner-city youth and presents some realities about the hopeful role of neighborhood organizations. (Contains 164 references.) (SLD)