April 16, 2026

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To the Northern Berkshire Community,

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We want to take a moment to connect with you directly following recent news coverage regarding Youth Center Inc., and to thank you for the outpouring of support we’ve received.

 

For decades, we have served youth and families of Northern Berkshire through early education, before and after school care, summer programming, and teen programs that help young people learn, grow, and stay connected. Each year, we support over a thousand children and families, providing not just care, but stability that allows parents to work and children to thrive.

 

We have also taken pride in maintaining and improving the space we call home. Since the closure of Cheshire Elementary School, we have worked to keep a portion of the building active and filled with purpose, investing in classroom improvements and new playground equipment to create a safe and welcoming environment for children. We continue to actively seek out grants and new opportunities to strengthen our space and programs, with a focus on sustaining our services, managing operating costs responsibly, and ensuring our impact for youth and families remains strong and accessible.

 

Against that backdrop, the town has approved an increase that will triple our rent, effective July 1, raising it by over 170% and significantly increasing our operating costs.

 

We want to be clear: we are here, and our programs are continuing as normal. There are no immediate changes to the care, schedules, or services families rely on. We are actively evaluating all options to ensure we can continue serving this community long-term. If anything changes that impacts families, you will hear it from us first.

 

Dependable childcare is essential to families across Northern Berkshire. Our role in supporting working parents and providing a safe, consistent environment for children remains at the core of everything we do.

 

We are proud of what we have built and remain committed to being a reliable resource for the youth and families of Northern Berkshire.

 

We are tremendously grateful for the support of this community and for those who continue to stand with us.

 

Sincerely,

 

Youth Center Inc.