In the heart of Midtown Kingston, the Everette Hodge Community Center serves as a beacon for young people seeking a safe place to grow, learn, and connect. Kingston Cares, operated by Family of Woodstock, runs a multi-age after school program that has become an essential resource for children and families throughout the city.

Comprehensive Youth Development

Kingston Cares was established to work with all segments of the community to prevent and reduce youth substance abuse while improving the quality of life for children and families in the City of Kingston and Kingston City School District. The program operates at 15-21 Franklin Street under the direction of Tina Barrett, with a staff of four full-time and eight part-time employees.

Staff work to create an environment where young people gain skills, build confidence, enjoy positive social experiences, and create a vision for their futures. The program serves multiple age groups, having recently expanded to include kindergarten and first-grade students in response to community demand.

Addressing Basic Needs

Beyond recreation and education, Kingston Cares addresses critical survival issues facing local youth. Staff prepare nutritious meals after school and during summer months at various locations throughout the city. In recent years, the program has expanded efforts to address poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness—issues that directly impact children's ability to learn and thrive.

During the pandemic, the program demonstrated remarkable flexibility, increasing meal production and providing an alternative education site for students who lacked equipment or needed additional support for virtual learning.

Community Impact

The program collects data and maintains statistics to analyze the success of its initiatives and identify emerging community trends. This evidence-based approach ensures that resources are directed where they're needed most.

For more information, contact the Everette Hodge Community Center at (845) 331-9683.