WHAT A STORY

Each day, when a child walks through the doors of the Second Street Youth Center (SSYC), it is ensured that they will receive hours of educational support and comprehensive care for their mind, body, and spirit. SSYC nurtures the whole student and provides the tools to not only succeed in the classroom, but to succeed emotionally and socially to meet the demands of today’s society. SSYC students are equipped to be resilient, confident, patient, and well-rounded. SSYC provides them with the foundation to reach and exceed their full potential.

OUR HISTORY RUNS DEEP

The Second Street Youth Center (SSYC) offers educational programming, as well as cultural and recreational opportunities, for at-risk children in the Plainfield community. Founded 57 years ago, in 1967, SSYC is a multi-purpose agency servicing the Plainfield community, dedicated to the growth intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially of youth and families in our community.

During the summer of 1967, a building owned by Rona Plastics was loaned to the City of Plainfield Recreation Department to provide summer recreation for the city’s youth. Because that summer’s program was so successful, a group of Rona employees formed a committee dedicated to keeping the center open year-round. Later that year, the Second Street Youth Center Foundation was formed. In 2017, the board of the Second Street Youth Center Foundation amended its corporate charter, and the organization became Second Street Youth Center, Inc.

OUR COLLABORATIVE LEAP OF FAITH

A Legacy of Service - A Future of Ownership

Second Street Youth Center (SSYC) has served as a trusted source of education, enrichment, and support for children and families in Plainfield for nearly 60 years. What began as a community childcare program has grown into a leading youth-serving organization impacting hundreds of families each year.

A transformative moment in SSYC's history came when the Board of Directors engaged in a strategic planning process that expanded the organization's vision for long-term sustainability and growth. That vision led to the hiring of SSYC's first Executive Director, Leah Cates, whose leadership helped position the agency for unprecedented opportunities.

In 2018, through a landmark partnership with the City of Plainfield, J.G. Petrucci Company, TD Partners, New Jersey Community Capital, and M&T Bank, SSYC became the anchor tenant of a new state-of-the-art Early Childhood Education Center. Developed through the federal New Markets Tax Credit Program, this project was historic as M&T Bank's first New Markets Tax Credit investment and resulted in only the second newly constructed childcare center in Plainfield in more than a decade.

Over the next eight years, SSYC demonstrated financial strength and operational excellence as the facility's tenant. Building on that success, the organization entered a new partnership with Northfield Bank, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA),J.G. Petrucci Company, and The Westfield Foundation to pursue ownership of its home.

Utilizing NJEDA Tax-Exempt Bonds financed through Northfield Bank, the NJEDA Direct Loan Program, and a Legacy Grant from the Westfield Foundation, SSYC successfully completed the acquisition process in less than five months. On December 3, 2025, Second Street Youth Center closed on its permanent home, becoming the owner of the first asset in the organization's history.

On June 18, 2026 we celebrated our Lease Burning and Staking Our Claim in Ownership, we commemorated a defining moment in our history. For the first time in nearly 60 years, Second Street Youth Center owns a permanent asset, a home that secures our future, strengthens our mission, and ensures that generations of children and families will continue to benefit from the opportunities, support, and hope that SSYC has provided since 1967.

What began as a dream has become a legacy. What was once a lease is now ownership. What was once a vision is now our future.

OUR PROGRAMS

SSYC Preschool

In collaboration with the Plainfield School District, we operate a High Quality Preschool Program for 210 Children. After more than 20 years of using the Highscope curriculum, SSYC was selected to pilot Connect 4Learning, a new state-approved STEM-focused Pre-K curriculum developed through the National Science Foundation. Based on the successful student outcomes, the entire school district transitioned to this new innovative curriculum. All of our teachers are certified P-3 teachers in the State of New Jersey.

Afterschool/Summer Program

We offer an Afterschool Program that provides homework help, literacy, and STEM-related academic enrichment and mentoring for 60 youth.

K-8. Students are transported by SSYC from their respective schools and brought to the after-school program. Upon arrival, they receive a healthy snack and transition into their workstations. This allows us to work with each child in all of the areas we offer. Since 2012, we have incorporated a STEM component into our programming. Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills are becoming increasingly essential to navigate an increasingly complex world and a globalized economy.

SSYC STEAM Enrichment Camp

SSYC provides an 8-week Summer STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) infused camp for children in Pre-k-8th grade. We infuse STEAM Academics into the recreational components of a summer day camp experience for low-income youth. We have a licensed teacher who develops all STEM-related lesson plans and oversees implementation by camp counselors. In collaboration with ARTS for Kids, our students also learn acting techniques, dance skills, vocal training, and oration for both singing and verbal communication. Youth attend camp daily from 7:00am- 5:00pm.

They receive breakfast, lunch and a healthy snack. We utilize the project-based approach for our lesson plans, developed by the licensed teacher. All youth receive an initial assessment to determine their aptitude and attitude towards STEAM subjects. We expose youth to all areas of the arts on a rotational basis. This includes exposure to acting, voice, dance and oration, culminating in a performance showcase open to parents and the community.

Family and Community Outreach Services

This program is led by our Family Community Navigator, a master 's-level social worker. This department provides support to families who have complex needs. We also educate the community about access to various State benefits, including earned sick leave and health insurance. We partner with United Way to provide intense case management and funding for emergency needs. Through this department, we successfully developed a comprehensive Union County Resource Guide in English and Spanish and distributed 5000 copies throughout the City.

In total, SSYC has educated and enriched the lives of more than 20,000 students. And we have so much more work to do, and we need your help.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Second Street Youth Center - 5th Annual 2026 Tastes from Around the World - Food & Wine Tasting Event

To Benefit Second Street Youth Center