Barack and Michelle Obama Teen Empowerment Center

Teen Empowerment employs, trains, and empowers youth to organize and use their voices to create peace, equity, and justice in their communities. Founded in Boston, they’ve had a Rochester presence since 2003. Since the “Change Starts with YOUth” campaign launch in 2020, Teen Empowerment Rochester has grown substantially.

The non-profit organization’s success in supporting some of Rochester’s most challenged neighborhoods has resulted in outgrowing their current Genesee Street facility. Having a strong community presence there, they purchased two vacant lots across the street. Teen Empowerment’s intention is to build a new flagship headquarters while uplifting and beautifying the neighborhood.

The headquarters will include staff offices and meeting spaces and expanded program space to safely accommodate youth events for up to 150 people. Enhancements will include a music recording studio/multimedia room, meditation room, library, conference room, two balconies and outdoor space for more creative programming and community collaboration.

The new headquarters will provide administrative and program space to host TE’s youth organizing initiatives in the Southwest neighborhood, while adding staff capacity to expand their work in neighborhoods across the City of Rochester.