Zach Gordon Youth Center

Loading...
Zach Gordon Logo

The Zach Gordon Youth Center is a free, drop-in facility for youth. All are welcome to come by for food, fun and friends. The center has a wide variety of amenities from table tennis and pool tables, to a rock climbing wall and basketball courts available to youth of all ages. 

Drop-In Activities

Drop in and use our facilities!

Indoor/outdoor basketball courts, outdoor toddler play area, weights and gym equipment, pool and ping pong tables, outdoor fire pit and grill, board games, foosball, arts and crafts projects, the climbing wall and more!

Good Eats

Meals served every day!

Our staff prepare simple and healthy hot meals for any kid that comes through our doors. Meals are free and can always be taken to go if you are only stopping by for a quick visit.

Connection

Connection to community.

Our staff are here to build a safe space and positive relationships with youth in the Juneau community. We are available to connect kids to various resources that will help them live their best life.

About the Center

ZGYC Staff

When youth arrive at the Zach Gordon, they can expect to be greeted by our friendly staff! Staff are usually cooking food, playing games or leading activities with kids. The center has some awesome features including: Indoor and outdoor basketball courts, a weight room and exercise equipment, table tennis, foosball and pool tables, an outdoor fire pit, board games, arts and crafts and so much more.

Youth must be 9 or older to be at the center without a supervising adult

After 6pm, youth must be 14 or older to be at the center

The center hosts a variety of events and activities. For the most up to date information on our events, we encourage you to follow us on Facebook or Instagram. The following events are happening on a weekly, drop-in basis. For more info, check out the calendar page or give us a call.

Craft night at the Zach   Game Nights Thursdays   Queerspace Thursdays at 6   Karaoke Party Fridays

The Zach Gordon offers housing and navigation services. The Housing Navigator connects with community partners to provide housing services to youth 18-24. They coordinate our Rapid Rehousing program that houses young people in the community and provides rental assistance. They also provide supportive services to youth under the age of 18, such as help obtaining IDs, accessing food support and connecting with Shéiyi X̱aat Hit Emergency Youth Shelter. The Housing Navigators are a great resource to assist youth in their transition into adulthood.

To connect with a Navigator, call us at 586-2635 or text 500-4338.

The Center features a public climbing wall, courtesy of the Juneau Rotary Club. The climbing wall is free for youth 19 and younger during open facility hours. If available, our staff can provide all training and climbing knowledge necessary, so don’t worry if you have never climbed before!

All participants must have a waiver signed by their parent or guardian before climbing.

Climbing Wall Waiver

During the summer, the climbing wall will have no official hours; however if you or your family wants to climb, feel free to stop in and our staff will gladly help you. For more information, call 586-2635.

We are unable to do facility rentals at this time due to short staffing. 

The Zach Gordon is available to rent for gatherings, birthday parties or other events.

  • Full Facility Rental with Climbing Wall: $125.00/hour+ tax
  • Full Facility Rental without Climbing Wall: $100.00/hour+ tax
  • Climbing Wall Only *Only available while facility is open $25.00/+ tax

To make reservations call 586-2635 during regular business hours and at least one week in advance. Facility rentals are available before 3pm on Saturdays and any time on Sundays.

The center offers a variety of programs and resources for LGBTQ+ youth including:

-Queerspace, a social group for LGBTQ+ teens, Thursdays at 6pm

-The Alliance, a drop-in afterschool activity for LGBTQ+ middle school students, weekly from 3-4:30 at FDMS and DHMS.

-Trans Youth Support Group, an interactive, psychotherapy support group for individuals ages 12-19, who identify as transgender, gender-expansive, genderqueer and non-binary. It will provide a safe, affirming space to explore, process and grow as we examine different aspects of our gender identity. Registration is required. This group meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 5-6.

-Gender Affirming Scholarship Fund, this fund can provide gender affirming items to any youth.

– A Resource for Trans Youth in the Juneau School District

For more information about any of these resources, stop by the center or contact Ty Shae at [email protected] or 907-586-2635.

 General Announcements

4/24/23 – Join us for Adventure Club!

Starting this week, join us every Thursday from 4-6p for a different adventure! Zach Gordon staff will be taking youth out and about for different outdoor activities such as hikes, beach walks and frisbee golf! Anyone ages 9-19 is welcome. Just show up to the center dressed for the weather!

4/21/23 – We are hiring!

Join our team! We are hiring multiple full time and part time positions available. To read the full job postings and to apply, click here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/juneau?page=3
Youth Services Navigator: $24.18 – $25.82 Hourly. In this position you will be providing outreach and support to youth who are homeless or otherwise in need of being connected to services.
Youth Advocate: $21.23 – $22.65 Hourly. In this position you will be responsible for coordinating care for youth who come into Shéiyi Xaat Xit Youth Shelter. You will work with them to create a plan of care and help connect them to needed services.
Youth Development Leader I (Shéiyi Xaat Xit Youth Shelter): $18.62 – $19.88 Hourly. In this position you are responsible for day to day supervision of youth in the shelter. This includes cooking meals, light housekeeping, helping incoming youth with paperwork and getting settled, and providing supportive counseling.
PT Youth Development Leader I (Zach Gordon Youth Center): $18.62 Hourly. In this position you are responsible for supervising the center and engaging with youth.
PT Youth Development Leader I (Summer Camp Assistant): $18.62 Hourly. In this position you will support Parks and Rec summer camps for youth ranging in age from 5 to 11.

2/8/23 – Spring Break Camp Registration is now open!

Explore Juneau Parks and Recreation opportunities! Spend time at the pool, the rink, the field house and on many more outdoor adventures!

Date: March 20th-24th, Time: 9am to 3pm., Place: Start and end each day at the Zach Gordon Youth Center, Who: Open to youth ages 8 to 11., Fee: $150.00, scholarships are available. Email Amanda to register using a scholarship at [email protected] For all other questions, please call or email Ralph at 796-5811 or [email protected]

1/17/23 – Join us for a Cross Stitch Workshop

Youth and families are invited to join us for a cross stitch workshop! Small cross stitch kits will be provided with different pattern options. Supplies are limited so give us a call or send us a DM to sign up! Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. Supplies are limited so please call the center at (907) 586-2635 or email [email protected] to reserve your spot!

12/20/22 – We are hiring!

We are hiring! The center is in need of a part-time Youth Services Support Coordinator. This position provides the administrative support to help keep us going, including updating the website, developing promotional materials, shopping for the center, and supporting youth services as needed. They also provide direct support for our youth sports programming. The position can be partially remote, and the hours are flexible.
This part-time, unbenefited position pays $21.65 an hour. We are hoping to find someone looking for a low-stress, high-reward job that doesn’t require a huge time commitment and can work with your schedule. If interested, please e-mail Amanda ([email protected]) your resume and why you are interested in this position. You can e-mail Amanda if you have any questions, or call us at 907-586-2635.

Our Mission:

Connecting Youth and Engaging Community

Our Values:

Wellness, Connection and Growth

register online

Want to know what we’ve been up to? Click below to read our 2022 Year in Review!

Juneau has an Emergency Youth Shelter

Upcoming Events

Current Hours:

Monday – Thursday 11 AM – 9 PM

Friday 11 AM – 10 PM

Saturday 3 PM – 10 PM

6 PM to close is for teens ages 14-19.

Closed on CBJ Holidays.

What’s Going on Today?

register online

Social Media