Boys and Girls Club opens new teen center in Rochester

The new space features gaming, computers, and study areas for local youth.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:19am

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph depicting a group of teenagers gathered around a table, engaged in various activities like gaming and studying, with the scene bathed in warm, soft pools of light and color.The new Boys and Girls Club teen center in Rochester offers a welcoming, tech-savvy space for local youth to connect, learn, and have fun after school.Rochester Today

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester has opened a brand new teen center, providing a safe and engaging space for local youth to gather after school. The center includes gaming consoles, high-end computers, and ample study areas, all based on feedback from the teens themselves.

Why it matters

The new teen center aims to address the lack of safe, appealing spaces for Rochester's adolescents to spend time productively after school. By creating an environment tailored to their interests and needs, the Boys and Girls Club hopes to encourage more local teens to take advantage of its resources and programming.

The details

The new teen center, which held its ribbon cutting on Wednesday, features a variety of amenities designed to attract and support local youth. In addition to gaming consoles and high-powered computers, the space also includes dedicated areas for studying and completing homework. Club leaders say the center was developed based on direct feedback from teens in the community about what they wanted in a dedicated hangout space.

  • The Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester held the ribbon cutting for the new teen center on Wednesday, April 9, 2026.
  • The teen center is open on weekdays from 2:30 to 7 p.m.

The players

Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester

A local nonprofit organization that provides after-school programming and resources for youth in the Rochester area.

Dwayne Mahoney

The executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester.

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What they’re saying

“That's the thing is there are not enough safe spaces”

— Dwayne Mahoney, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester

“This was really based on youth voice and what they wanted in a teen center”

— Dwayne Mahoney, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester

“We want more and more teens to say this is where I'm going after school and this is where I get help”

— Dwayne Mahoney, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester

What’s next

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester plans to continue promoting the new teen center and its programming to encourage more local youth to take advantage of the space and resources.

The takeaway

The opening of this new teen center reflects the Boys and Girls Clubs' commitment to providing safe, engaging, and youth-centric spaces for Rochester's adolescents to learn, grow, and thrive after school. By directly incorporating teen feedback, the club aims to create an environment that truly meets the needs and interests of the local community.