Empowering Teens and PreTeens for a Brighter Future
At GPCA, we are dedicated to equipping teens and preteens with the skills, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. Our engaging programs foster growth, connection, and success for youth across our community.
Our Out of School Time (OST) program is all about you. We help you meet academic standards through engaging after-school and summer activities, ensuring you stay on track in core subjects. Dive into diverse activities—whether it’s art, music, character education, or career training, there’s something for everyone!
Each site is staffed with highly qualified and trained professionals, licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Our programming complements the school day by offering:
• Academic Enrichment: Helping youth meet state standards in core subjects through after-school and summer programming.
• Diverse Activities: From art and music to character education and career training, we provide a broad array of engaging services.
• Family Support: Offering educational services for families, including literacy instruction and cultural enrichment.
• Resource Mobilization: Connecting students with community and social services to eliminate barriers to learning.
We proudly welcome youth of all backgrounds and abilities.
High School Programs (9-12):
OST at Nita Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center
Our 21CCLC program offers enriching after-school activities for students in grades 9-12. Our goals are academic enrichment, youth development and family engagement. We provide tutorial services to help students meet rigorous state academic standards. Offer activities in drug and violence prevention, arts, music, physical fitness, and career training. Create meaningful opportunities for families to engage in their children’s education.
Location
• Furness High School
(1900 S. 3rd St. 19148)
Entrepreneurship and Technology
This dynamic after-school program empowers teens to build businesses based on innovation and creativity. Participants develop essential skills in entrepreneurship, technology, and leadership, preparing them for success in today’s economy.
Locations
• Mamie Nichols Center
(1529 S. 22nd St. 19145)
• The U School
(2000 N. 7th Street, 19122)
Job Readiness Bootcamp
This after-school program prepare students for the workforce with essential job skills.
Location
• The U School
(2000 N. 7th Street, 19122)
Providing a safe space for youth to connect and access resources.
The CERC is a community resource for youth who violate their curfew while also providing daily youth programming. The services emphasis on the promotion of positive youth development. The CERC provides site-based interventions to youth and a safe haven that ensures responsible and caring supervision, while engaging the families to return the youth to their homes. CERC staff are dedicated to engaging youth and their caretakers, from a non-punitive and strengths-based perspective, while promoting positive relationships and exposing youth to alternative structured activities.
The CERC include the following amenities:
• Free programming for Youth ages 10-17
• Programming 7 days a week (includes: daily drop off after programming)
• Trained Staff
• Safe & Positive environment
• Exercises the build Self esteem
• Educational activities
• Fun & Constructive activities
• Family events
Location:
• Dixon House (1920 S. 20th St.)
Hours:
• 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. (drop in hours)
• 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. (curfew violation hours)
The CERC include the following amenities:
Intensive Prevention Services (IPS) is a community-based and family-centered prevention and intervention program serving youth aged 10 to 19. IPS provides support to youth who are experiencing disciplinary challenges at home, in school, or in the community. The goal of the IPS program is to improve behavior in an effort to prevent youth from entering the juvenile justice system by identifying the social, emotional, and psychological factors that contribute to their challenging behavior(s). IPS is a short-term (3-6 months) intensive program.
Our programming is broken down into three components: Case Management, Onsite After-School programming and Counseling. Through life skills workshops, mentorship, educational support, and linkages to community resources, we help youth strengthen their sense of self-worth, self-confidence, character and competency skills. We promote resiliency and positive youth development.
Eligibility Criteria:
• Families who reside zip codes include: 19145, 19146 ,19147, and 19148
• Youth aged 10-19 who have been identified as displaying challenging behaviors (at home, in school or in the community), chronically truant, suspended 3 or more times from school or expelled in the past 12 months, arrested within the past 12 months but not adjudicated, history of running away or may have a first time infraction on school grounds
Location: Mamie Nichols Center (1529 S. 22nd St.)
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Providers & Case Managers connect families with services to help alleviate or remove the causes of the unexcused absences.
• Collaboration with students and families
• Each family is assigned a designated Case Manager
• Case managers provide in-home case management
• Case manager will provide support to students and families that are referred to Regional Truancy Court
• Student has at least ten (10) unexcused absences and have a documented SAIP Conference
• Identify barriers
• Strengthen relationship with school and families
• Provide services and resources that cater to each families’ needs
• Become aware of school and absent student protocol
Cost
Free
Locations
Dixon House
1920 S. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19145
Phone: 215-336-3511
ADA Accessible
Houston Center
2029 S. 8th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: 215- 468-1645
Walk In Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Appointments available by request
Maime Nicoles Center
1529 S. 22nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19145
Furness High School
1900 S. 3rd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
The U School
2000 N. 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
