The West End Center for Youth

www.westendcenter.org

In 1979, poverty, crime and drug trading characterized the West End and Hurt Park neighborhoods in Roanoke. At that time, a number of children were wandering the streets without supervision and there was an increase in vandalism. In response to these circumstances, West End Presbyterian Church, West End Methodist Church and the Mountain View Neighborhood Alliance formed a coalition to establish the West End Center as a safe haven for the neighborhood children. Since that time, the West End Center has experienced tremendous growth, both in the number of children served and the available programs and services.

Today, the West End Center serves 140 children each year who live in many of Roanoke's disadvantaged neighborhoods. The goal of the program is to equip children with the developmental assets they need to become productive, responsible adults.

The West End Center provides a variety of services and opportunities for children and their families in their after-school activities including programs for fitness and nutrition, tutoring, life skills, parents group, reading instruction, social competence curriculum and college scholarships.

Children from disadvantaged circumstances, like those who attend the West End Center, often require comprehensive, wraparound services to meet their complex needs. West End Center’s Child and Family Care program addresses their health needs through counseling and case management. And through the Mentoring Program, a caring adult is paired with a child. Mentors serve as positive role models, help to interpret the adult world, apply what is learned in school to the real world, and provide a supportive shoulder to lean on when needed.