Cambridge Community Center

About Cambridge Community Center

The Cambridge Community Center was founded in 1929 in the Coast neighborhood of Cambridge by a group of Black pastors because the local YMCA was for white men only at the time. Our founders aimed to create a safe space that would serve families of color living in Cambridge -- a space where everyone was welcome to congregate and Build Community Together. 95 years later, this founding principle remains the framework that we operate under today. We are not prescriptive with our programs and services, nor do we utilize a top-down approach. Rather, we rely on our community to inform us of their needs, and we provide the resources and support to empower them to develop and implement their own solutions. This approach requires us to remain deeply connected with our community members and maintain a nimble business model, which allows us to adapt quickly as needs arise. CCC has served generations of children, youth, and families and continues to be a frontline resource for the most under-resourced and historically excluded residents throughout the city of Cambridge. Over 10,000 individuals use our facilities throughout the year whether they utilize our services, are enrolled in our programs, or host events and community gatherings catered to under-resourced community members. We also maintain contact with over 200 community members over the age of 60-years-old, most of whom attended the Center’s programs when they were children. Many of the staff and youth in our programs come from families that have been involved with the Center for four or even five generations, enriching our Center with a strong sense of history, family, and community. Today, our mission is to alleviate symptoms of systemic racism and inequality by meeting the evolving needs of under-resourced and historically excluded youth, families, and seniors through innovative programs and services.

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