Youth Center Finds Permanent Home In Washington Heights

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital announced on Thursday that its Uptown Hub, a youth center for 14 to 24-year-olds in Washington Heights and Inwood, has found a permanent home in a newly renovated space at 600 West 168th Street.

The newly renovated space was designed with input from Upper Manhattan youth, and serves to "empower members to develop self-advocacy and pursue their dreams by connecting with holistic and culturally-affirming services and resources."

The center is funded through a four-year, $10.3 million grant from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office Criminal Justice Investment Initiative given in 2017 that specified the creation of a Youth Opportunity Fund in Washington Heights or Inwood.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. took to Twitter on Thursday to celebrate the opening of the new space.

👏 Congratulations to @nyphospital and @ColumbiaMed on the new Uptown Hub. We’re proud to fund this space in Washington Heights through our Criminal Justice Investment Initiative. https://t.co/Kyy2Dze3es
— Cyrus Vance, Jr. (@ManhattanDA) September 23, 2021

The Uptown Hub lists the four following objectives as its overall goal:

• "To cultivate a community that facilitates the engagement and retention of young people in employment and educational opportunities, as well as participation in wellness, creative youth development, and recreational programming and activities.
• To reduce idle time, risky behaviors, and initial justice system involvement through an individualized support system that fosters positive relationships with peers and mentors.
• To improve mental and physical health by supporting psychological development and enhancing resilience and acquisition of coping skills.
• To increase the collective impact of youth-serving agencies and to expand community awareness of available supportive services through enhanced collaboration."

The Uptown Hub's collaborators include the Ambulatory Care Network's CCHE, the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, the People's Theatre Project, the Police Athletic League at the Armory, the YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood, and Uptown Stories.

You can find out more about NewYork-Presbyerian's Uptown Hub and how to get in contact with the facility on its website.