Katrina Hobbs-Everett is one of the founders of POSE Inc. She is also a candidate for Haverhill City Council.
Non-profit POSE (Power of Self Education) Inc. is having an open house for its new youth center at 6 p.m., Monday night, in the lower level of Rehoboth Lighthouse Full Gospel Church, 409 Washington St., Haverhill.
Founders Katrina and Dennis Everett said the youth center will “provide much needed resources to the overlooked Mount Washington area where 69 percent of residents are low income and drug use is highest in the city—seeing 65 overdoses last year.” In a statement, they also noted, “School performance and property ownership are low, and violence is high.”
“This youth center will build on the many existing strengths the resilient Mount Washington youth already have, as we feel this area is full of untapped potential that all of Haverhill needs to know about,” the Everetts said. They said the center will work also work with Haverhill Police Department, YWCA, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Haverhill, Haverhill Intercity Boxing, Merrimack Valley Music and Arts, Haverhill Department of Economic Development and Planning, city and state agency representatives and other community services agencies, churches, neighborhood groups, residents and local youth through the Youth Engagement Team (YET).
The center, in the heart of the Mount Washington neighborhood, will be open from 6 to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, for youth ages 12 to 18. Membership is free.
The Center, as it will be known, is also seeking sponsorships, partners and donations. Those interested may email [email protected] or call (979) 457-3676.