MEETING BASIC NEEDS
MEALS SERVED DAILY
Every day we are open we serve a free home-cooked dinner to students at no cost. We served over 12,000 student meals in 2024 alone. Any leftovers are packed up and sent home with students or delivered to students’ families after hours. At our snack bar, candy and sodas are sold at cost so that our students can afford them and so we can replace them. We also offer daily chores so all students can earn and enjoy those treats.
BASIC NEEDS CLOSET
Students have regular access to our teen-centered basic needs closet. We keep personal health, hygiene, food and household items stocked for students without those basics at home. Additionally, we keep teen clothing, shoes, and coats for all seasons in rotation.
POWERPACKS
18 South is proud to partner with Power Packs Project and serves as both a registration and distribution sight for this program.
Power Packs Project is a nonprofit organization in Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties dedicated to ending hunger in our local schools over the weekend, when free school breakfasts and lunches aren’t available. Every week, our participants receive a Power Pack - a fresh recipe, all the ingredients to make that meal, pantry staples like cereal or peanut butter, and local fresh items like milk and produce.
FREE HAIR SALON
One of our incredibly talented staff members is a licensed cosmetologist who has a dedicated salon area at 18 South to provide free professional haircuts, colorings, and styling services to our local teens. Hair and makeup appointments for prom, homecoming, or other special occasions can be made at the center.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
School supplies are available at no cost to students throughout the year. Thanks to community drives and donations, we hold an annual distribution event for students in the fall for back-to-school.
LAUNDRY
For students without access to laundry services, the center has a washer and dryer for students in need. Arrangements for laundry services can be made at the center.
EMERGENCY SHOWER
For students without regular access to water or showers, we have an emergency use shower room. Arrangements for emergency shower services can be made at the center.
MENTAL HEALTH & SUICIDE PREVENTION
HOPE SQUAD
18 South Youth Center is the first community youth center in the world to offer Hope Squad, our peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. Through this program we teach teenagers QPR, an evidence-based suicide prevention method, encourage mental wellness and mindfulness, advocate for people struggling with mental health issues to get the help needed, promote healthy community, and to be a proponent of anti-bullying online and in the community.
Need someone to talk to? Message the Hope Squad Here
QPR TRAINING
Staff at 18 South are certified in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), a program designed to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. We use this program to teach teens how to connect their peers to professionals for help when needed.
We are also certified to bring this training to your business or organization. Contact chris@18south.org to learn more or schedule a training.
NARCAN
18 South has Narcan onsite and staff has been trained according to PA Act 139 to administer this life-saving medication in the event of an opioid overdose in the community. Narcan/Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. If you are in need of this medication please reach out to our staff at the center.
In case of an overdose emergency please immediately call 9-1-1 for life-saving assistance.
COMMUNITY NETWORK
We have built a strong network of care in our community and have become a hub of resources for the community. We often say, if there is a need, we try to connect with others who are already excelling at meeting that need. If we cannot bring that resource to the center we can take the student to the resource. We work with many amazing community organizations who are doing extraordinary work. Click here for links to some of our partners.
FUTURE PLANNING AND EDUCATION
GOVERNMENT IDS & LICENSES
Need help getting your Social Security Card? Birth Certificate? State ID? Drivers License? We can help! Whether you lost it, never had it, or need a new on, we can work with you to help get these vital documents needed for your future.
MUSIC LESSONS
Staff is available for beginner guitar and bass lessons are available at no cost to students. We have a variety of instruments for students to practice on. Other levels of instruction and instruments are available periodically throughout the year based on volunteer availability.
RESUME BUILDING
Looking for that first or new job? We can help you craft a strong resume that will help you get employed quickly!
HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE
Staff and volunteers are always available to help with school homework. Need assistance? Just ask. The center offers free wifi for students complete assignments and is available for online students to work in a away-from home setting.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Our Community Service activities come in a variety of forms–short and long-term, both volunteer and court-mandated–and yet, each community service endeavor reinforces our efforts to encourage students to change the world both as individuals and as members of their community. To promote the value of engagement with the broader community, students and staff work together through a variety of volunteer projects in the community.
For court-mandated or school-mandated community service hours, please email info@18south.org
COLLABORATIVE CLASSES
We love collaborating with our community to bring opportunities to our students. We regularly offer classes on essential skills for students to learn outside of the traditional classroom. Community partners bring classes in and they are offered on an ongoing basis as they are available.