Demario Andrews felt the door to the Worcester Youth Center stood open for him.

“The Youth Center was always a welcoming place, even for kids who were staff like me, as I was a member and staffer of other youth-serving agencies,” he said. Demario was club director for the Plumley Village Boys & Girls Club, a member of the HOPE Coalition adult staff, and the YouthConnect coordinator for four years.

He recalled the Youth Center was one of his first job interviews.

“The Youth Center was always a welcoming place, even for kids who were staff like me…”

“I also was a part of the remodeling for the very first Youth Center when it was on Main Street. It gave me a reason to be downtown without being harassed or asked to leave by the police,” he said.
Demario recommends youth become involved in the Worcester Youth Center.

“If you are looking for a place to go, head to the Youth Center. Once you are there, take advantage of the opportunities they have there that could end up having lasting effects on your life,” he said.

For him, one effect has been to continue working in youth development. Demario has been a branch director for the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh for about a year and a half.