Director Jeanette Warke, who has been involved since CYC's inception, said the club's ethos had changed very little since it first opened its doors in December 1972.
"At that time the idea came from the concern of Dean George Good who was worried about the impact of the Troubles on the young people of the city," said Jeanette.
"He approached my late husband David, asking him to consider opening up the Cathedral School in the evenings to provide both activities and a safe environment for young people."
Those early days were ones of little funding and the entertainment for the young people revolved around a badminton set and a record player - borrowed from the Warke household.
Jeanette, whose initial role helping to run the club's tuck shop quickly evolved into a more all encompassing role, said at that time all funding was self generated.
Without the many jumble sales, sponsored walks and fundraising concerts CYC may well not have survived those early years and the support of the community was vital.
"We literally had to raise all funding ourselves," said Jeanette.
"There was some great fundraising concerts and with the help of the late Don O'Doherty, we were fortunate that people like Josef Locke, Hugo Duncan and Gene Fitzpatrick were eager to give something back to the community."
From the Cathedral School, the club moved in 1980 to the Union Rooms in Kennedy Place, and with WELB funding now on board numbers grew to over 140 young people.
In 1990, the Housing Executive offered CYC the use of two vacant shops in its present day home in the Fountain Estate, where young people from across the city are now engaged in a wide range of programmes, with the Department of Social Development's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund now the main funding source.
Recently completed projects include a CD Rom exploring the shared history of 1916 for Unionists and Nationalists, the completion of the interface gardens developed along with the Off the Streets Initiative and participation in an Ulster Scots summer scheme.
Ongoing programmes include the 'Our Culture Our Heritage Our City' photographic project, and the job skills programme funded by Lloyds TSB's 'Creating Change' project.
New ventures also include the development of a DVD celebrating 35 years of the club in conjunction with the Nerve Centre, and with help from the Lotteries Big Opportunity Fund, the production of a CYC newssheet.
Most recently EverybodyOnline, a government programme designed to help communities access digital technologies, have helped develop a CYC website while a major project, "'Past the Jail and down behind the Fountain' developed with the Long Tower community Centre, will take a nostalgic look at life in the area.
Jeanette said CYC has now grown to become more than simply a youth club.
"There are now so many diverse programmes on offer and central to them all is instilling a positivity into the young people.
"They are the key to the club, and have a say in all aspects of the club through their involvement in our youth committee and the management committee.
"There is a great sense of community and a strong spirit among the young people. We want people to know the young people care about their community and take pride in it. she said.
Jeanette believes it is that spirit that will see CYC continue to thrive in coming years.
"There can be a very positive future here. I would thank all our funders and while funding is always great it is important that young people's creativity is key to the club's success.
"With the continued support of the community, the parents and the young people themselves I am sure the future for the club can be a very bright one."