A collaborative effort between two local advocacy groups has led to the opening of a new teen center in Carrboro.
Youth Creating Change, founded and directed by Maxecine Mitchell, and Pa’lante, founded and directed by Laura Wenzel, have come together at 110 W. Main St. to share their programming for teenagers.
The new center opened Jan. 1 in the former space of Glenn’s Tattoo Service.
With the help of Hispanic teenagers, Pa’lante seeks to integrate the immigrant community with the established community.
In addition to publishing a quarterly Spanish-language magazine, Pa’lante also holds art and literacy classes and goes on tours of businesses and universities.
Youth Creating Change is focused on teaching leadership and entrepreneurial skills to black teenagers. The youths learn about business and investment by running their own store. The teens also participate in educational and career planning.
But both directors thought that they could more effectively foster acceptance of minorities by combining resources.
“We are collaborating in order to have strength in numbers and to provide more services to the children,” Wenzel said.
The union comes at a time when there has been much talk of rising tensions and gang violence. “Why not bring these two groups together before things flare up and we can’t get them together?” Mitchell said.