Teen Center at St. Peter's

The Teen Center at St. Peter’s serves teens ages 15 to 19 from the Bowdoin/Geneva neighborhood of Dorchester. Through the center, adolescents of the mid-Dorchester corridor have work opportunities, access to various support services, as well as a safe place to recreate. Work and activities aim to provide the skills necessary for academic success, while also increasing self-esteem and enhancing the perception of teens as a positive force in the community. While teens of all races are encouraged to participate, the program is particularly focused on the area’s Cape Verdean adolescents who have been disproportionately involved in area violence.

Open Monday through Friday from 2:30-6 p.m., teens have a supervised time for homework, peer tutoring, and set times at the computer lab. School performance is reviewed and monitored regularly. There is specialized tutoring weekly in Mathematics and English to prepare high school students for MCAS and TOEFL, and in both math and verbal skill building to prepare for the SAT. Workshops are offered on college prep, computer literacy, job readiness, and financial literacy, as well as special workshops through out the year, such as summer jobs, legal rights of youth, conflict resolution, youth development, dangers of substance abuse, and health issues.

Male and female focus groups meet weekly to address adolescent development issues and the multiple challenges that confront youth today, such as sexual activity, drugs/alcohol, family conflict, immigration issues and deportation, diversity and racism, gang participation, truancy, violence, and planning for the future.

Recreational activities include sports (soccer, basketball, and volleyball), dances, fashion show, tournaments, cultural activities, and field trips. Teens can also register for classes in African Dance and other performing arts activities. In partnership with the Sierra Club and the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Teen Center participates in hiking, canoeing, ropes courses, and overnight camping trips.

Services offered at this location

• Children and Youth Support Services
• Teen Center at St. Peter's