Augusta Boys and Girls Club for Teens

The Augusta Boys and Girls Club for Teens grew out of a grassroots effort by local people to create a safe place for teenagers to hang out after school.

Teenagers have always been a part of the planning process …. Their thoughts, feelings and needs have been in the front lines of everything we do at the teen center. Even the rules are created and voted on by adolescent members.

As a result of youth and adults working as partners, we provide computers, art experiences, homework coaching, college and career counseling as well as pool tables, music, breakdancing, and adults who really care about young people. We are staffed by people who are specialists in adolescents and youth development.

This year, we opened two new projects: The Gallery for Young Artists, and The Tool Shed Project. (we need a page for each of these)

The Gallery for Young Artists is the result of the various art projects. We are now able to display pottery, painting, collages, fabric art, sneaker art, tie dye and a variety of other art forms in the hallways and entryways of the Augusta Boys and Girls Club for Teens.

The Tool Shed Project is led by a social worker who helps kids and families build better lives. Through her assistance to young people, our social worker helps folks develop better communication tools and well as expand the tools they can use to do better in school or lead healthier lives.

Our mission is to help all young people have 5 basic resources in their lives: at least one Caring Adult; Safe Places to live and grow, Marketable Skills, Healthy Starts, and Opportunities to be involved in their Community.

Our funding comes from a variety of sources, local and national: the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Bingham Program, Spurwink Corporation, United Way of Southern Kennebec Valley, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, private donations, fundraising events such as the Art/Antique Auction, and working with the Augusta Area Jaycees on the Halloween Haunted House.

Come back to this site so we can tell you more about how we are developing.