Community Hub
Free creative programs for teens age 12-19 at Community Centers and Teen Centers citywide.
At Community Hub, we're creating together. Come through for community and self-care. Find real support and ways to express yourself. Discover your next creative outlet!
Community Hub offers FREE programs for youth ages 12-19 at locations across Seattle. All supplies, equipment, and snacks are provided.
- Drop-In Programs do not require registration. No need to sign up, just pull up!
- Cohort Programs require registration and attendance at all sessions. Contact the center to sign up!
Instruction provided in English. Language support is available upon request.
Questions? Teen.Programs@seattle.gov
Schedule of Activities – FALL 2026
See below for specific offerings at Bitter Lake, Rainier, and Rainier Beach community centers plus Garfield, Meadowbrook, and Southwest Teen Life centers.
| Location | Program | Description | Enrollment info | Schedule |
| Bitter Lake Community Center | Mindful Hoops | A holistic training program that redefines basketball training. Moves beyond ball skills and drills by treating the mind, body, and spirit as a single unit. By integrating basketball skill-work with mindfulness, meditation, reflective journaling, and food literacy, players are empowered to achieve peak performance and wellness, both on and off the court. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Wednesdays |
| Bitter Lake Community Center | The Community Kitchen: Cook, Connect & Create |
This program is centered on food, identity, and holistic well-being, and transforms the kitchen into a vibrant lab for cultural wellness and enrichment. Youth are equipped with practical culinary skills, a resilient coping toolkit, and a deep sense of cultural pride and community belonging. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Thursdays 4-6 pm (Sept. 17-Nov. 19) |
| Bitter Lake Community Center | Passion for Fashion + Custom Fits | Includes an introduction to hand and machine sewing, clothing modification and upcycling. Students will gain skills that will inspire and empower them to construct, modify, and stylize unique clothing and accessories for maximum self-expression while giving new life to Goodwill bin finds, clothing unworn and bringing pieces of fabric to life. Offered by Lauren Holloway + Antonio Washington, OAC. | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. FREE | Saturdays 7-9 pm (Sept. 19-Dec. 12) |
| Bitter Lake Community Center | Wearable Creativity | A design program for youth to explore elements of design to put on garments. Participants will walk away with garments made from their creativity. Offered by Greg Thorton, OAC. | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Fridays 6-8 pm (Sept. 18-Dec. 11) |
| Garfield Teen Life Center | Therateen Program | A drop-in program where teens experience 16 new activities and adventures around the greater Seattle area. Through field trips and creative projects, youth will experience challenges and opportunities not usually offered anywhere else. Experience something new while developing social connection, teamwork, and peace of mind while participating. Offered by SPR. | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 13-19. FREE |
Wednesdays 4-8 pm; Fridays 4-10 pm (Sept. 1-Nov. 13) |
| Garfield Teen Life Center | GTLC Madness | Combines creativity, technology, teamwork, and leadership through the world of apparel design. Students will develop design concepts, sketch ideas, use AI-powered design tools, create digital mockups, select materials, and learn about branding and clothing production. By the end of the program, each participant will turn their original design into a tangible product. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 13-19. FREE |
Saturdays 5-7pm (Sept.12- Nov. 21) |
| Garfield Teen Life Center and Southwest Teen Life Center | Strong Minds: Teen Wellness & Empowerment | A comprehensive mental wellness program designed for teens ages 13–18. Participants will gain practical coping skills, confidence, emotional intelligence, healthy relationship skills, and career readiness while building a positive support system. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 13-18. FREE |
Wednesdays 3-7 pm (Sept. 9-Nov. 18) |
| Garfield Teen Life Center | Stories of Gratitude | Conduct research, interviews, and reflections on mental health and wellness in your community, gathering stories and insights. Design and paint a permanent wellness-themed mural at GTLC. Work with a local artist to translate what you learn through research into visual artform on the mural, giving the stories a lasting expression in the space. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Wednesdays 4-6 pm (Sept. 23-Dec. 9) |
| Garfield Teen Life Center | APEX Leadership Program | This program brings cultural exploration, cooking, storytelling, and wellness into a late-night format for an all-boys cohort. Each week, the cohort gathers for hands-on cooking tied to cultural identity; guided storytelling and reflection; wellness activities such as mindfulness and peer support circles; and periodic outings. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Fridays 6-9 pm (Sept. 18-Dec. 11) |
| Garfield Teen Life Center | Act It So You Can Be It | An improv-based class that creates a safe and supportive space for students to let go, imagine, and express themselves freely. Through collaborative activities and on-the-spot thinking, students will work together to build scenes, ideas, and stories while strengthening confidence, creativity, and communication. The focus is on self-expression, teamwork, and learning how to trust their instincts in the moment preparing them for real life. Offered by Olu Dixon, OAC | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Mondays 5:30-7:30 pm (Sept. 14-Dec. 7) AND Fridays 6-8 pm (Sept. 18-Dec. 11) |
| Meadowbrook Teen Life Center | Mind Over Matter: Back To School Kickback |
Teens will be introduced to diverse strategies for supporting emotional well-being while also learning about free, community-based mental health services available to them. Features dinner, interactive mental health activities/games, resource booths, giveaways (including self-care kits and school supplies) and opportunities for youth connection and support. Offered by SPR. | Event open to the public, for ages 12-19. FREE. | Friday Sept. 25 4-8 pm |
| Meadowbrook Teen Life Center | Real Talk: Teen Mental Wellness Circle and Peer Support Space | A youth wellness space with weekly meetings, offering structured discussions, hands-on activities, creative expression, and experiential learning opportunities. Supports youth wellness recreation with a focus on cultural wellness, social emotional competency building, positive coping skills, and enrichment activities. Offered by SPR. |
Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 13-19. |
Fridays 4-6 pm (Oct. 2-Dec. 18) |
| Meadowbrook Teen Life Center | The Nest: Birds & Balance | A drop-in program where teens engage in nature exploration. Through guided birdwatching walks, participants learn basic bird identification, observe wildlife behavior, and explore local habitats while developing curiosity, social connection, and environmental awareness. Offered by SPR. |
Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. |
Wednesdays 3-5 pm (Oct. 7 - Dec 9) |
| Meadowbrook Teen Life Center | Bloom: Young Ladies Group | Designed to create a supportive, identity-affirming space where young women can connect with peers, build confidence, and develop tools to navigate the challenges of adolescence. The program centers on mental wellness, relationship building, and peer dialogue while encouraging young women to explore topics that matter to them. Offered by SPR. | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Thursdays 4-6 pm (Oct. 8-Dec. 10) |
| Meadowbrook Teen Life Center | Cooking From Scratch | A hands on kitchen skills and etiquette course that prepares youth for life beyond school while serving community dinner for Saturday Late Night. Participants will be instructed on basic food preparation, preservation and storage with fresh whole foods while working as a team in a minimum waste kitchen. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 13-19. FREE |
Saturdays 5-8 pm (Oct. 3 - Dec. 19) |
| Meadowbrook Teen Life Center | Meadowbrook Young Men's Group | A weekly group for young men to share and gain tools for navigating life, while we work to become the men we want to see in the world. Includes open forum discussions on important topics like school, relationships and stress management, along with activities that improve our foundation by using healthy coping strategies and communication skills. Offered by SPR. | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Thursdays 4-6 pm (Oct. 1-Dec. 18) |
| Meadowbrook Teen Life Center |
A Creekside Production | A weekly music camp where collaborating artists work towards the completion of their collective music project while exploring mental health topics. At the end, artists will promote and put on showcase of original artwork to their friends and family. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 14-19. FREE |
Saturdays 6-10 pm (Oct. 3 -Dec. 19) |
| Meadowbrook Teen Life Center | Nation of Poets: Finding Your Voice | Explores creative writing, spoken word, and storytelling through poetry, drawing inspiration from Somali oral traditions and contemporary poetry. This welcoming and supportive environment celebrates creativity, identity, and authentic self-expression. Offered by Najib Abbi of the The Gaas Collective, OAC. | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Wednesdays 4-6 pm (Sept. 16-Dec. 9) |
| Meadowbrook Teen Life Center | UNFILTERED: Mixed-Media Art Journals | Led by visual artist Charde’ Brown, students use collage, painting, drawing, writing, and mixed media to explore identity, music, emotions, culture, and their future. Experiment with new techniques, build creative confidence, and discover different ways to express yourself. Each session also adds to a large collaborative canvas, encouraging connection, teamwork, and a shared sense of ownership, which will remain on display at MBTLC. Offered by OAC. | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Tuesdays 4-6 pm (Sept. 15-Dec. 8) |
| Rainier Beach Community Center | Life After High School | A space for teens to imagine their future by improving their understanding of how to navigate life as an independent. Participants explore options as they choose a career path, college, trade school, etc. Students will produce a tangible result each week to take with them, such as a monthly budget, revamped resume, interview questions, etc. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 16-19. FREE |
Mondays 4-6 pm (Sept. 28-Nov. 16) |
| Rainier Beach Community Center | Polish and Pop | This hands-on program transforms an interest and passion for learning nail design into a foundation for personal growth. Teens will learn precision nail techniques, detailed art design, and the step-by-step mechanics of running an independent beauty business. Guided by a supportive adult mentor, participants will practice stress-relief through creativity and connect with a caring community. Offered by SPR. | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Thursdays 4-6 pm (Oct. 1-Nov. 19) |
| Rainier Beach Community Center | Creative Sound Space: Frequency Lab | At the Frequency Lab, teens engage in the art of music production and audio engineering. Through guided instruction, activities, and hands-on practice, youth learn the process of creating original music. From concept to creation, and from creation to publication, they will leave the program with the knowledge and skills to confidently bring their music into the world. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Tuesdays |
| Rainier Beach Community Center | Winter Sports Kickoff | A one-time event scheduled for the week before High School Winter Sports tryouts. In this kickoff, teens will be provided with tools, guidance and personal practices that can be utilized in tryouts, games, or any high-pressure environment. Offered by SPR. | One time event. Open to the public, for ages 13-18. FREE |
Wednesday November 11 4-6 pm |
| Rainier Beach Community Center | Foundation of Breaking and Funk Styles with Massive Monkees | Dive into the original foundation of Breaking (Break Dancing) and Funk Styles (Popping, Locking and The Robot). Dancers will build strength, coordination, flexibility, and mindset—while taking risks, and bringing their own flavor to the floor. Offered by FlowFunk of the Massive Monkees Crew and Extraordinary Futures, OAC. | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Wednesdays 4-6 pm (Sept. 16-Dec. 9) |
| Rainier Beach Community Center | Intro to Digital Photography | Presents the basics of camera operations, storytelling with images and the fundamentals of photography. All levels of photographers are welcome! Students will take some field trips during this class, so join on in the fun! Offered by Youth In Focus, OAC. | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Thursdays 4-6 pm (Sept. 17-Dec. 10) |
| Rainier Beach Community Center |
Line it Up: Barber Program | An engaging, hands‑on barbering program designed to introduce youth participants to the fundamentals of grooming, haircutting, and professional barbershop culture. Youth explore essential barbering techniques, develop customer‑service skills, and build confidence through guided practice. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 13-19. FREE |
Fridays 7:30-10 pm (Oct. 2-Nov. 20) |
| Rainier Beach Community Center |
Bloom: A Mental Wellness Program | A space for young women to connect in a safe, supportive environment and explore mental wellness, build healthy coping skills, and cultivate meaningful connections with peers and mentor. Through interactive workshops, creative expression, mentorship, and wellness-focused activities, participants will gain tools that support their long-term well-being and success. Offered by SPR. |
Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 13-19. |
Fridays 7:30-10 pm (Oct. 2-Dec. 11) |
| Southwest Teen Life Center | Nourish to Flourish: Cooking for Mental Wellness Program | Designed to empower youth through hands-on cooking experiences that promote healthy eating and mental wellness. Learn new recipes and cooking techniques in a relaxed and supportive environment. Then enjoy the dishes we have prepared as we debrief and connect. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 13-19. FREE |
Thursdays 4:30-7 pm (Sept. 17-Nov. 19) |
| Southwest Teen Life Center | Healing Through Arts | Designed to provide youth of all ages and backgrounds with a creative outlet for emotional expression, music and healing. This inclusive activity encourages participants to explore various art forms, such as painting, music, dance, and writing, as a means of coping with challenges and fostering personal growth. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 13-19. FREE |
Fridays 4:30-6:30 pm (Sept. 15-Nov. 3) |
| Southwest Teen Life Center | Kings in the Making | A leadership and personal development program for young men. Join weekly brotherhood circles, interactive workshops, mentorship, team-building activities, and community engagement. Explore topics such as identity, emotional intelligence, healthy relationships, leadership, goal setting, financial literacy, and career readiness. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 13-19. FREE |
Wednesdays 5-7 pm (Sept. 2-Nov. 25) |
| Southwest Teen Life Center | Creative Flow Youth Art Studio | Explores painting, jewelry making, abstract art, and mixed-media projects. Join a fun, supportive space that encourages imagination and self-expression. Offered by Malika Bennett, OAC. | Drop-In (no registration needed).Ages 12-19. FREE |
Tuesdays 4-6 pm (Sept.15 - Dec. 8) |
| Southwest Teen Life Center | The Music Lab | Explore the art of creating music lyrically and vocally. Learn to increase your songwriting, vocal ability and music production skills at the Music Lab. We want to see you cook! Offered by Erica Merritt, OAC. | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Thursdays 5-7 pm (Sept.17 - Dec. 10) |
| Rainier Community Center | Calm and Click | A low-barrier creative space designed to support youth mental health and emotional regulation through a blend of 3D technology, tactile making, and sensory grounding. Meet new friends and learn a new hobby! Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Tuesdays 4-6 pm (Oct. 13-Nov. 17) |
| Rainier Community Center | Purpose in Motion: Write Your Story | A healing-centered creative writing program. Participants will use journaling, poetry, spoken word, personal narratives, letters, and visual art to process emotions, build resilience, and reduce mental health stigma. Each participant will become a published youth author. The original writing will be professionally compiled into a community anthology that celebrates resilience, identity, hope, and healing. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Fridays 4-6 pm (Oct. 2-Oct. 30) |
| Rainier Community Center | Hip Hop Dance for Wellness | A workshop-based movement program designed to support youth mental health through creative expression, collaboration, and reflective practice. Using hip hop dance as the artistic medium, participants engage in inquiry, dialogue, peer feedback, and co-create, to build confidence, emotional awareness, and social connection. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Mondays 4-5 pm (Oct. 5-Nov. 16). No class Oct. 12 |
| Rainier Community Center | Food Justice Learning Lab | A cohort program where teens are introduced to gardening and urban farming. Participants are empowered to learn about the food the food system and taught how to grow food in their back yard or window. They will experience the calming aspect of spending time in green spaces. Offered by SPR. | Cohort Program (register at site; consistent attendance required). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Thursdays 4-6 pm (Oct. 15-Dec. 3). No class Nov. 26. |
| Rainier Community Center | Passion for Fashion + Custom Fits | Includes an introduction to hand and machine sewing, clothing modification and upcycling. Students will gain skills that will inspire and empower them to construct, modify, and stylize unique clothing and accessories for maximum self-expression while giving new life to Goodwill bin finds, clothing unworn and bringing pieces of fabric to life. Offered by Lauren Holloway + Catherine Palpallatoc, OAC. | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Wednesdays 4-6 pm (Sept. 16-Dec. 9) |
| Rainier Community Center | Wearable Art: Design & Customize Your Own Clothes | Turn your everyday clothes into one-of-a-kind wearable art! Students will explore ways to transform and personalize fabric using fabric paint, dye, embellishments, and other techniques. Bring your own items to customize T-shirts, jeans, jackets, tote bags, hats, or other fabric pieces. Experiment with color, patterns, lettering, and textures to create something that reflects your own personal style. Offered by Claudia Villalobos, OAC. | Drop-In (no registration needed). Ages 12-19. FREE |
Fridays 4-6 pm (Nov. 6-Dec. 11) |
Drop-in programs are FREE, no pre-registration and no adult permission required for on-site programs. Cohort Programs require registration and attendance at all sessions. Contact the community center to sign up!
Programs may fill as capacity is limited by facility space, which varies by program location.
Participant E-13 Form required for programs requiring off-site travel or transportation in City vehicles.
For more info, contact the Community Center where your program is located.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Funding for Community Hub comes from the Families, Education, Preschool, & Promise Levy. [Learn more]
In response to the City of Seattle Innovation & Performance team’s 2024 Youth Mental Health Report, three City departments joined forces to co-create an innovative youth wellness program called Community Hub. The idea addresses multiple needs voiced by youth, community, and stakeholders.
The Community Hub is activated through a partnership between Seattle Parks & Recreation (SPR), the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL), and the Office of Arts & Culture (OAC). Together we’re amplifying our collective resources to offer free arts engagement opportunities for Seattle teens and young adults.
Our goals are to boost:
- Relationships with trusted adults
- Access to safe, identity-affirming spaces
- Mental health and wellness literacy
- Social-emotional skills
- Relationships with supportive peers
Youth and young adults up to age 24 in Seattle are also eligible for free mental health therapy. Learn more here: www.seattle.gov/youthmentalhealth