On Saturday the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena (BGCP) proudly celebrated the grand opening of its new Dena Teen Center, a dedicated 10,000sf space for teens from Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre. As a major milestone in the Club’s Future Ready work, the Dena Teen Center officially opened its doors at the BGCP Clubhouse at 2020 North Fair Oaks Avenue, featuring a newly designed, fully separate entrance and space created specifically for high school youth.
The December 6 community launch event drew an enthusiastic turnout of teens, families, and local supporters who gathered for an afternoon of food, fun, and celebration. A highlight of the day was the ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Mayor of Pasadena, Victor Gordo & Board Chair, Melina Montoya, marking the official opening of this exciting new resource for local high school teens.
Empowering Programs and Resources
With strengthened local partnerships and a purpose-built environment, the new center provides teens with access to:
• Life and workforce readiness programs
• College access and preparation support through College Access Plan (CAP)
• Culinary arts and practical skills training
• Sports and recreation, including game rooms, a fitness room, and a full gym with basketball, volleyball, soccer, and a climbing wall
• Wellness services from partner Young & Healthy
• Free mental health counseling from licensed local therapists
• StudioX, BGCP’s innovation lab
• Upcoming teen-designed features such as a music recording studio, driver’s education, and a DIY maker space
A Space Designed for Teens, by Teens
The Dena Teen Center was built with direct input from BGCP’s Teen Advisory Council, ensuring the space truly reflects what young people want and need — a place to decompress, connect, and prepare for their futures. Teens ages 13 and up attend BGCP programs for free, and high school students now have full access to all Dena Teen Center programming at no cost.
A Vibrant Community Celebration
Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities and offerings throughout the event, including:
• Raffle prizes and swag bag giveaways
• Delicious tacos handmade by local business owners, and free coffee from Café de Leche
• A ribbon cutting with the Mayor and community leaders
• Teen-guided tours of the Dena Teen Center
• A photo booth, and bouquet-making and art activities
• Information about BGCP’s Youth of the Year scholarships, College & Career Bound programs, mental health resources, and other teen-focused services
Rebuilding Community and Support
“Young people today are facing more pressures than ever before — from pandemic disruptions and wildfire recovery to social media stress and economic uncertainty,” said Lisa Cavelier, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena. “The successful launch of the Dena Teen Center shows just how much our community believes in our teens. This space is our promise to them: a place they can call their own, filled with structure, care, and opportunity.”
About the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena
For nearly 90 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena has enriched the lives of young people in the community. Today, BGCP serves hundreds of Pasadena-area youth daily across its two Pasadena Clubhouses and Altadena after-school program site, providing academic support, enrichment programs, mentorship, and opportunities that build resilience and prepare kids for bright futures. Through its Future Ready initiative — which includes the new Dena Teen Center — BGCP is ensuring that every child and teen in Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre has a safe, supportive, and inspiring place to belong.
For more information about the Dena Teen Center, visit https://www.bgcpasadena.org/programs/teens or contact Alyssa Martinez at alyssa.martinez@bgcpasadena.org.
Get our daily Pasadena newspaper in your email box. Free.
Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m.
