Teen Center

 

March Calendar of Activities

 

Monday – Friday, 2:00 – 6:00pm

For updates, follow our Teen Center on Facebook or Instagram.

 

Together We Can Support Our Community’s Youth

Last year we conducted three separate studies to determine our region’s top needs. A Community Needs Assessment Survey, a series of focus groups, and a forum of over 90 business and community leaders all determined that our community’s top needs are providing safe and secure community spaces for youth, and providing non-athletic programming to draw out skills, create healthy aspirations, and combat the current mental health and substance abuse crisis.

From this research, the concept of the Teen Center was developed. This innovative Bangor Region YMCA program will focus on Psychosocial Wellbeing, Community and Relationships, Community Service, Educational Engagement, and Safe Spaces. The Teen Center will offer numerous programs supporting youth with a variety of needs, providing the necessary relationships, opportunities, and environment to foster mental health hygiene while providing psychological support for youth living with risk factors.

Special thanks go to the Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation, the Heart of Maine United Way, Versant Power, TD Charitable Foundation, the University of Maine School of Social Work, the Maine Community Foundation, and the YMCA of the USA. With the support of these amazing community organizations we were able to get the Teen Center off the ground! The Bangor Region YMCA Teen Center is a dynamic program with several long term goals, critical to our community. If you are interested in supporting these efforts through volunteerism, in-kind, or financial contributions please reach out to our development team today!

And what do we want most of all?! Teens! Please share the news of our program with anyone you think can benefit and encourage them to drop in!

For more information, email Keegan Wakana, Day Camps & Teen Center Director, or call him at 207-941-2808.

Program Highlights

  • All programs are low-barrier and completely free
  • Drop-In Center for Middle School & High School aged youth
  • Free, healthy snacks
  • TV, game tables, comfortable social spaces
  • Homework support
  • Mental Health Support Group
  • Clinical counseling
  • Service Learning
  • Teens to Work College & Career Readiness
  • Leaders Club