The spaces we experience as children play a huge role in our development. They shape our social skills, our emotional intelligence, and our relationship with our community. For Friends Austin Youth, our East Austin-based Clubhouse is a place for them to create memories, learn new skills, develop closer relationships with their professional mentor, or Friend, and make friendships that will last them a lifetime.

A kindergartener’s first trip starts when they step through the doors of our Elementary Clubhouse. They step into a world with Dr. Seuss quotes and hula hoops on the wall, stacks of books ready to be read, inviting pillow forts, a gallery to display the art they create, toy train tracks to build, and the perfect table for arts and crafts.

Across the hall is a space that Friends Austin youth eventually grow into. Our Teen Clubhouse is designed to help teenagers learn skills, find passions, and be themselves – a luxury for most teenagers. A cozy lounge near a fully stocked bookshelf creates the perfect environment for reading a new story, talking about the day with a friend, or getting a jumpstart on a homework assignment.

The Teen Clubhouse is home to our fully stocked kitchen ready to test out a potsticker recipe, bake a batch of perfectly gooey brownies, or just construct a flawless PB&J sandwich. Nearby, a room full of musical instruments and games invites teens and elementary students alike to unwind, strum a guitar, or challenge their Friend to a Mario Kart tournament.

The Clubhouse is first and foremost a space for the youth we serve. Beyond that, it is also home to every employee that serves our mission. From administrators to our Executive Director, it is central to our model that every employee works close to our mission. Our Board of Directors meets at the same table where slime recipes are perfected. We discuss fundraising events in the room where guitars and drums help middle schools process their emotions in music therapy sessions. In between emails and spreadsheets, our team wears the hat of taste testers as fresh baked cookies make their way from desk to desk.

Our organization’s home base is truly mission control for Friends Austin. We meet with partners and we brainstorm growth, but most importantly, we build a place every day where our youth can feel safe, comfortable and at home.