Teen Haven is Water Street’s ministry for youth in Lancaster City. Our mission is to launch teens into a life of leadership and purpose.
By providing a healthy community to thrive in, and mentoring them to become leaders in their city, churches, and schools, Teen Haven is building a better foundation for a brighter future.
Weekly programs for youth in Lancaster
We offer several programs designed for youth in Lancaster City. New this school year we will be hosting after school programming which is held immediately after school from 3pm to 6pm. These programs allow students to try new things, grow in their hobbies, build community and develop friendships while being in a Christ-centered environment.
“We’re very excited about the fall, we’ve got a team who’s passionate about the programs they’re leading,” Nina Maldonado, Vice President, Next Generation Ministries at Water Street, says.
Some of the different tracks students can dive into includes:
- Music
- Art
- Photography
- Gaming
- Nature
- Sports
- And much more!
Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3 from pm to 6pm we offer offer Recreation, Visual and Creative Arts (including photography, music and art), Technology and Media (including gaming and graphic design) and the Explore Program (outdoors education and adventures such as hiking, exploring and fishing). These programs are available both for middle and high school students.
Transportation is available immediately after school at specific pick-up locations in our community. Youth can contact us if they plan to catch a ride or have any questions – our bright and colorful Teen Haven vans are easy to spot!
Identity in Christ
For students in high school, we also host a weekly program each Thursday starting at 3 pm called Impact. This is a time where we empower youth in Lancaster to make an impact in their school, community, and amongst their families and peers.
We provide hands-on learning and experiences that are enriching, engaging, creative, and will widen the lens to possibilities for our students in their community and world. We believe that when young people know their identity in Christ, they can make a greater impact in the world and for the kingdom!
A step further, we have a leadership program for youth in Lancaster called Anchored, which is designed to equip and educate our students through critical thinking and practical ways to continue to grow as leaders and grow deeper in their faith.
Free to attend for all youth in Lancaster
Teen Haven’s after-school programs for youth in Lancaster are free to attend. Although we are a ministry of Water Street Mission, Teen Haven is for all youth in Lancaster City and it is not part of our shelter programs. We’re located at 205 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603.
If you have questions or would like to know more about who we are and what we do, we’d love to hear from you! You can reach out to our director at teenhaven@wsm.org, by phone at (717) 392-1995, or through social media.
Nina Maldonado
Nina Maldonado, VP, Next Gen Ministries
Nina and our Next Gen ministries team build strong foundations, offer opportunities for discovery and equips the next generation for a life of leadership so that they may join in God's mission of restoration. Nina has worked at Water Street for 17 years. From Wonder Academy, where we serve preschool aged children, to Teen Haven where we serve elementary through high school aged kids, to Compass, where we serve young adults, Nina is grateful to serve alongside people who are deeply devoted to Jesus and invest in the next generation with purpose and passion.
