Woodbridge Youth Center serves kids from 7 neighborhood schools

The Woodbridge Community Youth Center opened a year ago on W. Canfield, across the street from Woodbridge Estates, and has become the place for kids in the neighborhood to learn and play after school and on the weekends.

The center works with kids in a method that utilizes the Three L Model, which focuses on life management coaching, literacy support and leadership development. All classes and activities fall into one of the Triple A categories for arts, athletics and academics.

Sports teams fielded by WCYC include soccer, basketball, flag football and baseball. Adult health and wellness activities, including aerobics, dance and financial literacy courses, are in the works.

The center is located in what was originally Poe Elementary and is leasing the space from Detroit Public Schools.

Youth from seven local schools make use of WCYC, according to executive director Mike Wilson, who says that many of them walk to the facility from the immediate area. "That lets you know how great of a need there was," he says.

Nine community centers have closed in recent years in the greater Woodbridge area, including Wiegle, Brewster-Wheeler and St. Dominic's, so Wilson aims to fill in that gap. "We are in the ideal area to bring some revitalization to the community," he says.

WCYC is located at 1200 W. Canfield. Call 313-832-4770.

Source: Mike Wilson, WCYC
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh