Agency Details:

Zach Gordon Youth Center

Provides a "home away from home" for youth. Supported activities include indoor and outdoor basketball areas, weight room, climbing wall, lounge, kitchen and meal distribution and scholarships.

Description:
Zach Gordon envisioned a 'home away from home" for Juneau's teenagers and provided it until his death in 1977.

Although Zach was admired and supported in his efforts by many citizens in the community, he was not without detractors and he waged many battles to save the club. The lack of support from some quarters was in response to his total lack of prejudice at a time when racial bias was tolerated in this area. Zach's teenagers, whatever their origins, were welcome at their second home.

Following Zach's death the club was renamed in his honor.

In 1983 the Zach Gordon Teenage Club and the City & Borough of Juneau agreed to transfer management and operations of the facility over to the Parks & Recreation Department. Although no longer responsible for managing the facility, the Board of Directors of the Zach Gordon Teenage Club, Inc. remains an active supporter of the youth center.

The basic philosophy, developed by Zach Gordon, continues to guide the operation of the center today.

Contact person: Kristi West, ZGYC Manager, (phone), (email)

Address:

396 Whittier St. Juneau, AK 99801 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.juneau.org/parksrec/youthcenter

Directions:

The youth center is located in the parking lot behind Centennial Hall, the Juneau Arts & Humanites Council Bldg. and Bullwinkles Pizza Parlour.   Nearest Bus Stop: ANB Hall, 1 minute walk

Last updated on October 27, 2009