The Family YMCA: Española Teen Center

The Española Teen Center is a safe and caring environment that promotes positive core values. We provide programming that promotes self-discipline, builds self-esteem and teaches life skills essential to future success. Click here to see the YTD summary.

Española Teen Center Major Supporters:

City of Española
Con Alma Health Foundation
Cross Connection, Inc.
Hatton W. Sumners Foundation
Los Alamos National Laboratory Community Programs
Lowes Foundation
MAR Tech Services
Presbytery of Santa Fe, Mission in the North
Rio Arriba County
Santa Fe County
Santa Fe Community Foundation
State Farm Insurance
The Frost Foundation, LTD.
United Way of Northern New Mexico
YMCA of the USA

Additional support has been provided by Edgewater Technical Associates, Jack and Mary Gilliam Endowment Fund, the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation, Los Alamos Medical Center, Los Alamos National Bank, Los Alamos National Security, LLC, LANL, Community Programs Office, New Creation in Christ Ministries, New Mexico Community Foundation, Pojoaque Valley Fund, Robert E. and Evelyn McKee Foundation in El Paso,
SOC-Los Alamos, Valley View United Methodist Church, Wallen-Eloisa Family Fund, Nancy Park support the Wilder Green Fund of the Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program.

Mission/Purpose

The Family YMCA and the City of Española partnered to open the Center at the city’s request in 2007. The community values its youth and seeks to fulfill a commitment to provide technological and recreation resources to its teenagers. The City also recognized the YMCA’s 60+ year youth development history in northern New Mexico. The Family YMCA operates the Center under a contract with the City, which partly funds this outreach.

The Mission of the Española YMCA Teen Center is to strengthen the efficacy of community youth.

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Center Goals

1) to host a sustainable, vibrant prevention and intervention outreach center;
2) to support mastery of educational benchmarks through tutoring and educational programs;
3) to mentor and assist the teen population toward higher education;
4) to mentor and encourage compassion, caring, respect and responsibility in the teen population; and
5) to foster healthy lifestyle choices.

Membership/ Usage

Teen Center membership is FREE, and available for teens ages 12 to 19.
Registration with parent and teen signatures is required.

Youth Board

Youth are encouraged to join the Y’s Youth Advisory Board that will provide guidance in program offerings.

Center Programs

The Center has:
*Computer lab with 15 PCs that feature a quiet/study area and tutors for students who need assistance
*Social and recreation area with pool tables, table tennis, foosball, lounge/TV area; exercise equipment; air hockey;
*Classroom/instruction area for workshops and classes including cooking, crochet and wood working.
*Outdoor recreation court, with the opportunity to play basketball, volleyball and tennis.
Programming is aimed at developing a sense of purpose and hopefulness in participants in regard to their own skill and their ability to positively impact change. Programs include cultural arts and educational offerings by local experts, and leadership skills programming.