The Don Bosco Center is a Youth Apostles outreach program to Hispanic youth in Manassas, VA.

The Center provides an integrated program of academic support and reinforcement, faith formation and character development that incorporates  healthy recreational activities during the week. Other activities include family-based gatherings or outings that enrich parental involvement and formation.

The Center's activities are aimed at helping participants realize the following goals:

• Valuing family, faith, and culture as important structures that form the basis for sound decision-making;

• Forming a positive self-concept through mentoring, life skills curricula and other talks;

• Learning how to develop positive relationships with peers and authority figures;

• Involving parents more in the life and education of their children.

The Center, located at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington in Manassas, opened its doors in March 2005 and continues to meet regularly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays each week from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. "Family Day" takes place once a month and is an opportunity for the kids to have food and fun in a safe environment while the parents meet with the program director, Father Ramón Dominguez, Y.A..

In the summer, the program provides two or three different sessions to allow for summer school, family vacations and other activities.

The Don Bosco Center provides an accessible, safe and nurturing environment for youth who may be "at-risk" for violent or gang-related activity. While it is open to all youth from grades 5 through 8 and high school, it is focused on serving Hispanic families whose parents typically work multiple jobs and may be removed from their traditional sources of support. As a result, some elements (particularly or the parents) are offered bilingually or solely in Spanish. The program strengthens family support and involvement in coordination with the local Catholic church.

Interested in what the Don Bosco Center is up to?