Mission

The Worcester Youth Center, Inc. is private 501( c) 3 non-profit organization. The Youth Center is an educational, recreational, and social facility for youth between the ages of 14 and 24. Our mission is to provide a safe place where young people can build lasting, positive change in their lives. We accomplish this mission by seeking resources, collaborations and opportunities that help young people to realize their full potential, sharpen skills and enable them to become vital, responsible and contributing members of society. The Center has been and continues to be a “safe haven” for young people in Worcester.

The Center opened its doors in 1994 after three years of planning by youth, city officials, youth organizations, and adult advocates. Together, they envisioned a drop-in center that would be open to all young adults and adolescents throughout Worcester. It would not charge fees for membership or programs. The Center has since grown in its ability to carry-out the mission.

Over the past thirty years, the Center has increased capacity to serve more youth and offers a wider variety of programs and transitional support activities promoting positive youth development. Our program model recognizes the developmental needs of youth and encourages them during the various phases of their social, physical and intellectual maturation. Today, Worcester Youth Center is truly aspiring to exemplify the motto: “it’s not just a place to go, it is a place to go further.”

Our Location

Since the inception, the organization has lived in three locations in Worcester. It is currently located at 326 Chandler Street, in a building it owns, adjacent to the Beaver Brook park. It is across the street from Berkshire Bank Field, also known as Foley Stadium. Long time local residents will know this location as the former Tatnuck Bookseller annex and before that, Capital Toys.

The current 11,000 sq ft. facility includes a large multi-purpose recreation room with pool tables, a basketball hoop, DJ booth, and tables for eating. The Center also has a 10 station computer center, a multi-media editing room, a dance studio (by appointment), recording studio (by appointment), a kitchen, classrooms and staff offices.

Who We Serve

Worcester Youth Center, Inc. services young people between 14 – 24. Most of them attend or have attended Worcester Public Schools. Some of the most at-risk youth in the City of Worcester are actively participating in Worcester Youth Center activities. Many of our members live in neighborhoods with high concentrations of poverty, physically deteriorating surroundings, a shortage of affordable housing and areas where crime, drugs, and gang activity are present.

The Center attracts a diverse clientele including Latino, African-American, White and Asian. Many face barriers to work and school including low academic success, foster care/juvenile justice involvement, homelessness, teen pregnancy, disability, substance use and dependency, and some live in families that routinely experience economic hardship.

Membership

Young people between the ages of 14 and 24 can become members of the Youth Center. The Youth Center provides age-appropriate activities. For example, older youth activities, although content is similar, occurs separately from younger youth.

Enrollment Process

Youth seeking to join the Youth Center can complete the membership form and return it complete and signed by a parent or guardian.

Fees

Services at the Center are free to all members. Some participants may have to qualify for certain specific services; however, all members can use the Center and participate in comparable activities.

Funding

The Youth Center is funded by generous donations from residents, foundations, local companies, state and local government contracts.

Services Offered

Worcester Youth Center helps young people take the next step in school and in life. Whether planning to graduate, get a job, or go to college, young people at WYC receive support, every step of the way. From preparing for post-secondary education to career planning and paid internships, this program gives youth the tools and confidence to succeed.

Members work closely with staff to set personal academic and career goals, then build the skills needed to reach them. That could mean visiting colleges or figuring out what it takes to apply for financial aid. It might mean exploring new career options, writing a résumé, or landing that first job. Youth receive training in both soft and hard skills, like communication, time management, and professionalism, and can earn industry-recognized certifications along the way.