A safe place to belong
How community-led prevention helps rural Vermont teens thrive
When Amy Magnan’s family moved from Tampa, Florida, to rural Enosburg, Vermont, her teenage son struggled to find the friendships and sense of community he had known before.
“It can feel isolated where we live in Enosburg,” Magnan shared.
When her son discovered The Cafe Youth Center, he found peers who shared his interests, and the center quickly became part of the family’s life. “Now his social life takes up a good chunk of our lives,” said Magnan, who joined the center as a staff member shortly after her son started attending.
The Cafe Youth Center gives kids and teens in grades 6-12 a supportive place to hang out, build peer community, gain independence, and explore new interests. It was started by local people united by a shared goal: creating a community that empowers youth.
The Cafe is one of 16 local projects receiving subgrants from United Way of Northwest Vermont. Funding from the State of Vermont Department of Health’s Division of Substance Use Programs supports community-led efforts like The Cafe Youth Center that build protective factors, expand youth and family supports, and address root causes of substance misuse.
“We’ve had kids come to The Cafe who weren’t used to communicating with kids their own age, kids lacking confidence and independence skills. We’ve watched them blossom and come out of their shells,” Magnan said.
Kids come to The Cafe for a safe afterschool space where they can connect with peers and trusted adults, unwind, play games, get homework help, and explore shared interests. On Saturdays, they can join structured activities such as trivia, bingo, Dungeons & Dragons, and Pokémon events.
Magnan said her son has made friends who share his passion for musicals. She joked, “If the most annoying thing these kids are doing is coming to my house and belting out show tunes on karaoke, then we know we’re doing something right!”
Sometimes guests visit to share their skills. “We’ve had someone do watercolor tutorials, we had someone bring in a 3D printer, and a local comic book artist came,” Magnan said. “It’s great to see kids trying new things and gaining confidence.”
Magnan said The Cafe helps kids develop social skills and independence. She and other staff work to create a nonjudgmental environment where young people can build trust and be themselves.
Magnan said she hopes to see a location like The Cafe in every town, because every young person deserves a place where they can connect, build confidence, and be supported by caring adults.
“These are good kids. They’re going to change the world for the better.”