West End House’s mission is to inspire and enable youth from all backgrounds to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Our youth development programs hosted at our facility in Allston focus on four program areas: Academic and College and Career Success, Leadership Development, Visual and Performing Arts, and Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. The Food for Families program, started during the pandemic and now a permanent part of our offerings, distributes fresh produce, protein and shelf-stable food to over 160 families (700 individuals) in our community.

In 2022 with support from the Charles Hayden Foundation, we hired a full-time Director of Community Health and Wellness, a licensed social worker in recognition of the trauma and mental health challenges that our youth continue to experience.  In addition, we have a certified dance therapist and graduate school interns who are offering trauma-informed programs that focus on physical and emotional safety, inclusion, and healthy coping skills. Food for Families, started during the pandemic to address food insecurity in our community, is now a permanent part of our program and we distribute fresh produce, protein, and shelf-stable food to over 160 families twice a month.  Over the last school year and summer, we served 1,384 youth and young adults in our after-school, college and career program and our full-day summer program.