Western Youth Network (WYN) is actively seeking community support to secure a crucial $1.5 million grant from the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation. The nonprofit is challenging donors to contribute $50,000 each by the end of the year, aiming to raise $1 million. This fundraising push would unlock the pledged grant and is essential to keep construction on schedule for a new youth center in Watauga County. The initiative began with a $50,000 donation from a long-time Boone resident, who is encouraging others to match their contribution.
The funds are earmarked for WYN’s ambitious $11.5 million capital campaign, dedicated entirely to establishing the new youth center. Achieving the $1 million goal by year’s end is critical to ensure the project remains on track for completion in summer 2027. WYN has emphasized that the project has, to date, been privately funded without reliance on government support. Instead, it has been sustained through contributions from individual donors and various foundation grants. Blue Ridge Energy also provided a $1 million interest-free loan, which WYN is currently repaying.
The need for such a facility in Watauga County is significant. A 2024 study conducted by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce highlighted a substantial gap, indicating that the county requires more than 1,600 afterschool seats to adequately serve families with school-age children. The new WYN Youth Center is designed to address this critical demand.
Once operational, the center will be exclusively utilized for WYN’s programming, enabling the organization to significantly expand its afterschool offerings to students ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade. The facility’s plans include a diverse array of amenities tailored to youth development and engagement. Among these are an underground basketball court, a dedicated game room, and a fitness room primarily intended for high school students. There will also be a specific hangout space designed for high schoolers, alongside distinct homework rooms for each age group. A kitchen, multipurpose gathering spaces, an exterior porch, and expansive green space are also part of the design. Additionally, the center will feature calm spaces and rooms designated for one-on-one therapy, reflecting a holistic approach to youth well-being.
Construction on the new center began in May 2025, with VPC Builders leading the project. WYN reports that the building process has proceeded with minimal delays. The structure has already reached its full height, making it visible from the Wellness District, situated near Watauga Medical Center, and from U.S. 321/Blowing Rock Road, close to Watauga Village. A substantial portion of the initial electrical, plumbing, and other trade work has been completed. Barring unforeseen construction or fundraising setbacks, VPC Builders anticipates dry-in of the building this winter and final completion in summer 2027. WYN’s Watauga programming staff is optimistic about hosting at least one semester of middle school programming in the new building as early as next year.
Chelsea Helms of STITCH Design Shop, the interior designer for the project, affirmed the center's purpose, stating it will "provide critical amenities in support of WYN’s mission," and offer "a space that’s truly theirs" for children. She also noted that WYN’s "care for our youth is contagious." Travis Younger, the project lead for VPC Builders, echoed this sentiment, remarking that "Few things are more rewarding than building a place designed" to strengthen a community. Younger emphasized that the facility is set to "provide opportunities for recreation, learning, mentorship, and connection," representing a lasting investment in the future of local youth and the broader community.
WYN has specified that various forms of donations will count towards the $1 million goal and the SECU match. These include one-time monetary gifts, gifts of stock, grants from donor-advised funds, distributions from IRAs, and multiyear pledges.
Founded in 1985, Western Youth Network serves several counties in the High Country, including Watauga, Avery, Ashe, Alleghany, and Wilkes. The organization delivers vital services such as mentoring, comprehensive afterschool programming, and initiatives focused on substance use prevention for youth in these areas.
