Teen Center

We welcome teens back to the Teen Center on Tuesday, Sept. 8 adhering to health and safety guidelines as directed by local, state and CDC health officials. 

Students enrolled in Erie’s Public Schools may attend the Teen Center for Remote Learning @ the Y. Y staff will provide support to students to participate in their remote classes and complete assignments. The Y’s Teen Center includes a Learning Lab with WiFi access, smartboard and monitors. The Center will offer some after-school enrichment  opportunities such as art, music and physical and mental wellness.

The Y also will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner Enrollment is limited to 20 teens and teens must be registered and attend consistently or risk enrollment. The Center will be open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to log-on at 8 a.m.

The YMCA mission is to put Christian principals into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.  The Teen Center embraces the core values of the YMCA – caring, honesty, respect and responsibility with a focus on building a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Thanks to a grant from the City of Erie, we are able to extend a free membership to the Y’s Teen Center for City of Erie teens. Proof of residence or school report card is required when you signup. Parent or guardian must accompany teen to complete paperwork.

Breakfast served daily 9:30 a.m.
Lunch served at 12:30 p.m. 
Dinner from 5:30 p.m. daily. 

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the Teen Center at [email protected].

It is important that staff, teens and parents have a strong relationship here at the Teen Center.  All participating youth must complete a membership application and have permission from parents for involvement here.  We also require that parents sign-off and read the Parent Handbook. Parent/Guardian will need to accompany the teen upon the initial visit for a quick orientation and teen will need to also bring his/her school ID or PA ID Card. Demographic information collected is confidential and is used in reporting back to grant funders.

Please note that all enrolled students MUST have an updated participation waiver to attend the Teen Center.

Application

Parent Handbook

Participation Waiver

• Health & Safety Plan
• Home Room Policy- must check into Teen Center First
• No foul language- at all
• Only go where you are permitted. Refrigerator, office and cabinets are STAFF Only areas
• Personal Space- keep your hands to yourself at all times
• At no time should you threaten anyone
• Clean up after yourself
• Have respect for all YMCA property as if it were your own
• Do not sit on pool tables
• If you check out a ball, it is your responsibility to return it
• If something isn’t working properly, let a staff member know ASAP
• No stealing
• No horseplay
• Respect staff and/all Y guests
• Studio is only to be used for creating music
• No inappropriate music or use of computers
• Do not touch anyone else’s property unless you have their permission
• If you appear to be under the influence, you will be asked to leave and your parent/guardian contacted
• No sexual conversation of any kind

Discipline Policy

1^st offence – verbal warning

2^nd offence – suspension for 3 days

3^rd offence- suspension for 1 week

Downtown Y Facility Usage

Please note that program participation size is reduced to allow for social distancing. 

Music Production – Max class size 6. 4 in computer room and 2 in recording studio. If needed we will have Zoom classes so we are able to serve all interested.

Film Editing – Max Class size – 4. Utilizing computer lab for editing ONLY of their short films.

Boxing Classes – Small Class size (4 max) – utilizing studio 3 – staff to disinfect in between classes and after final class. (Class to be offered as needed – 2 to 3 times weekly to keep classes small).

Maritime- We have partnered with Maritime to put together a three-week program which will teach the kids about rowing, paddling, boat safety and the mechanics of smaller sail boats and canoes. 

Gardening– The students will learn how to prep and implement tower gardens in the Erie community

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – Q&A with a Graduate student from Gannon University

Special Events: We host a variety of special events throughout the year. 

Homework Tutoring: Teens are able to get assistance with their homework and class projects from community volunteers; retired and active teachers are often utilized as volunteers.

David Matthews Composition School: Students learn to compose an original score of music for performance by the Erie Philharmonic; students also learn film documentary to accompany the performance. This program was recently featured on ABC’s Good Morning America. Watch the full story here. Watch the live performance here.

Special thanks to our program funders:

Erie Community Foundation, City of Erie, Erie Insurance Group, UPMC/UMPC Hamot, McCain Family Foundation, Merwin Family Foundation, John M. and Gertrude Petersen Family Foundation, Britton Family Foundation, Thomas Keating Trust, and Erie Arts & Culture.