Youth Opportunity Center

What if there were one place young people could go that would meet all of their needs? A place where they could find everything from a warm bed and a hot meal to an opportunity to create positive change in their community? In 2009, we answered that question when the Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) opened its doors to the youth of Nashville. A 39,000 square foot facility co-founded by Oasis and STARS, the YOC has become a national model for the power and possibility of collaboration.

The YOC currently houses five nonprofit partners, including Oasis Center, STARS, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee, and Tennessee College Access & Success Network.

By coming together under one roof, our goals are simple:

• Align existing youth initiatives, resources and expertise to meet the needs of young people
• Ensure all young people can easily access basic needs: caring adults, a warm bed, hot meals, a safe environment, good health care, an effective education and opportunities to help others
• Seek to expand the services facing the greatest demand and remove barriers that prevent youth from receiving help
• Increase operating efficiency through shared back-office services.