Pittsfield Organization Launching New North Street Youth Center
 A new drop-in youth center is set to open on North Street this month. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A local nonprofit is preparing to open doors at a new drop-in youth recreation center based out of a downtown storefront.
"The Hub," located at 243 North St. in the Wright Building near the corner of North and Columbus Avenue, will offer city teens an after-school hangout with a range of activities.
"Everybody talks about how there's nothing for kids to do in Pittsfield," said its director, Michael Williams. "So we're giving them a free something to do."
The Hub is a project of the Fenn Street Community Development Corp., a nonprofit corporation developed by members of First United Methodist Church over a year ago, specifically with the goal of opening such a youth center. The organization has some grant funding, but at this time is mostly financed by contributions from private donors, primarily church parishioners, while it continues to apply for more grants.
The space, totaling 4,000 square feet between its first floor and basement, will be open from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. weekdays beginning in mid-February.
A pool table, a skeeball table, and an entertainment station with Playstation 4 and Internet access are among the recreation options, along with a gym set up in the basement. Light snacks will also be available free of charge.
Homework assistance will be provided for those who want it and, Williams said, as the program grows he hopes to be able to offer additional things to do, such as organized field trips.
"We'd like to show some of these kids that there's more to life than just North Street in Pittsfield," Williams told iBerkshires.
In addition to its director, The Hub will employ two part-time staff, assisted by volunteers.
Williams described finding the current space as a "fluke," having noticed the vacant space previously occupied by Pasko Frame & Gift just a week before he was hired to head up the project. Rent for the former retail site came in at just under what the organization had budgeted for a location, and the building's owner offered the first six weeks free.
Being able to offer a place and activities free of charge, in contrast with many of the venues currently available to local young people, is an important part of The Hub's mission, according to Williams.
Its director also works for Pittsfield Community Connection, a program that originated from the outpouring of interest in youth intervention following a shooting in August, and works in conjunction with the city's Shannon Grant coordinator and other local youth outreach organizations.
"The line is becoming blurred between the two jobs," said Williams, who will continue to seek partnerships and collaborations with other community organizations.
While the particular age range that center is targeting is 14 to 22, Williams said it's not a rigid age limit, and that The Hub would not turn away slightly younger individuals.
"I'm not going to tell someone who's 10 or 11 they can't come in here, as long as they act appropriately, it's fine," he said.
"We just want to reach some of these kids and give them other options," Williams told iBerkshires. "I know for me, it took a lot of pain and misery, and stuff that I didn't have to go through to get where I am today. If we can reach some of these kids and make them not have to go through those kind of things ... that's our goal."
The Hub is tentatively slated for a "soft opening" on Monday, Feb. 9, with a larger grand opening set for two weeks later.
Tags: North Street, youth center, youth programs,
