At Teen Club, learning doesn’t stop when school ends. It’s where kids explore STEAM, plan for college and careers and connect with mentors who believe in them. It’s more than just a place to hang out – it’s a space to grow.
Teen Clubs are structured, supportive environments where youths build life skills that reach far beyond the classroom. Through hands-on projects and engaging activities, teens learn communication, teamwork and decision-making – skills that will serve them for life.
Youth mentors – like Racquel and Ceasar – from the Ontario Peace Corp, a nonprofit committed to serving and empowering communities are at the heart of the program, guiding students through projects and moments of discovery.
“It’s great for the kids to have a space of their own,” said Racquel, who leads clubs at Rancho Verde and Villaggio. “A place where they can do their homework and connect with people their age. It encourages them to take responsibility and allows them to be older and be leaders in their own way.”
Racquel she’s watched her students grow – not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
Ceasar, who runs the club at Vista Verde, has seen similar growth. Together, they’ve witnessed teens become more confident and goal oriented.
In a time when 41.5% of U.S. teens report not receiving the emotional and social support they need, Teen Clubs are helping to fill that gap. Today’s youth face new challenges – less face time, more screen time – and they need mentors and safe spaces more than ever.
Currently, there are six active Teen Clubs operating across the region, supported by volunteers from Ontario Peace Corp and AmeriCorps. Each club is part of a larger mission: to strengthen communities by investing in the next generation.
At Rancho Verde, Gracie, 15, said she received support from the after-school program to turn a quiet hobby into a growing micro-business.
“This is something that I probably wouldn’t be able to do if I wasn’t in the program,” she said. “With people behind me, I can think of the future – like maybe an online business. But this is just the beginning.”