About Us

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.

Services Offered

The Youth Center has a host of activities in which young people can get involved. The youth can choose to enroll in more than one activity and attend year round. Or, they can obtain discreet support either one time or periodically throughout the year. Activities are grouped into four programs: Academic Support, Creative Expression & Leadership, Health/Wellness, and Work Preparation.

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

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.