The Care Center is an alternative education program for teen mothers in Holyoke that is fast becoming a model nationwide for innovative and inspiring educational programs. Our students are teen mothers who are pursuing their GEDs.

At The Care Center, we believe that students living in poverty deserve the same educational opportunities as those whose families have the means to send them to the highest quality schools.

Thus, in addition to our core academic curriculum, we provide classes in the humanities, including poetry, theater, and art. We also provide athletics including yoga, martial arts, and crew, as well as classes in parenting, and nutrition. This holistic approach to education has been shown to positively impact students’ academic performance, as well as their ability to think creatively, and reach their full potential.

Rather than back down in the face of barriers to education, we believe in breaking them down. That’s why we provide our students with onsite daycare, door-to-door transportation to and from school, and breakfast, lunch, and nutritious snacks.

We believe that when students feel a sense of ownership of their education that they will thrive, even in a city where success eludes so many young people.

Since 1986 The Care Center has worked with thousands of teens, providing young people with hands-on experiences and the tools of success that can make dreams real.

Eighty-five percent of our graduates go on to college. But our job doesn’t end when our students obtain their GEDs. We offer students support transitioning to college and succeeding in their college and career goals.

In 2011, the Center was recognized by the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award and The Care Center was featured in a New York Times article as an example of outstanding educational programming.