A safe place to be heard and be a kid.
The Sacramento Youth Center is a free, welcoming space for young people ages 14 to 24. Whether someone drops in to play video games, take a break, or connect with a peer mentor, the goal is the same: to give youth a place where they feel safe, supported, and like they belong.
Every afternoon from 12 to 6, the Center offers mental wellness classes, one-on-one peer support, and activities that create space to just be a kid. All staff have lived experience, which helps them build trust and meet youth where they are—especially during tough moments.
This spring, the Youth Center hosted its annual Week of Service. Instead of heading out for a traditional spring break, 30 teenagers joined together to complete a community project. In partnership with Sierra Service Project, they helped revitalize the International Garden of Many Colors. At the end of the week, they celebrated their work with a trip to Six Flags.
One of the most meaningful moments for staff is when a young person asks how they can start volunteering. For many, the Youth Center becomes more than a place to visit—it becomes a place they want to give back to.
Know someone who might need a space like this? Let them know: the Sacramento Youth Center is here for them.
Want to get involved in supporting their work, too? The Center could always use more volunteers, plus, there is an even easier (and more delicious) way to support if you are running short on time: stop by their cafe, Cafe Paso. Open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the café functions as a workforce development program that gives youth hands-on job experience while serving up specialty drinks and bites.