Community Spotlight: Downtown Youth Wellness Center

The Downtown Youth Wellness Center (DYWC) is a new youth center in downtown San José! Located at 725 East Santa Clara Street, Suite 105, the center is made possible through partnership between Alum Rock Counseling Center (ARCC) and Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services.

DYWC strives to be a safe and welcoming center for all youth ages 12 to 25 that provides space for activities, learning, and a place to socialize and just “be".

Services Include:

  • Peer Support and Mentoring
  • Social activities
  • Psycho-educational activities
  • Employment and Education support
  • Linkage to clinical and medical support
  • Behavioral health services (same day access)
  • Safe, youth friendly space

Take a Look Inside:

A large communal area with big windows, comfortable seating, and tables.Lots of comfortable seating and tables! Accompanied by gender-neutral bathrooms.

There’s even a kitchen and more comfortable seating and eating areas!

Small, cozy, private room with telephone and tissues.You can meet in a comfortable, private room with a behavioral health specialist to get connected to needed services.

The center also hosts weekly wellness groups:

  • Tuesdays: Círculo 4:00pm-5:30pm

Description: “If you’ve had a rough week or want to share community with peers, join us for a grounding activity and a space to check in without judgment.”

  • Wednesdays: Fitness 4:30pm-5:30pm

Description: “Participate in health and fitness activities such as yoga, cardio, and HIIT. We will start with mat exercises and switch up to other activities in the future.”

  • Thursdays: Art & Vibe 5:00pm-6:00pm

Description: “Create art freely or through a guided session, and listen to chill music. Art topics include painting, drawing, sculpting, and more.”

  • First Thursdays: Café Lounge Nights 5:00pm-6:30pm

Description: “Come socialize and participate in open mic activities such as singing, poetry, spoken word, music, and other performances.”

For more information, call (408) 961-4645 or email dywcstaff@alumrockcc.org


Person under a tree on a cloudy day with long brown hair, smiling with arms crossed over a sign that reads, "School of Social Work Building".

Who am I?

Thanks for reading! My name is Julie, and I’m a program specialist in the Library’s equity and inclusion services unit. I coordinate our Social Work in the Library projects. I’m originally from Georgia, and graduated from the University of Georgia with my social work degree in May of 2020. I moved to the South Bay that summer and started working with San José Public Library as an AmeriCorps VISTA in 2021. I was hired on as a program specialist after completing my VISTA service year. As a part of my work, I engage with local organizations like DYWC to foster collaborations that allow us to better serve our community’s needs. I hope you found this blog helpful, and if you’d like to chat with me to learn more about resources or services that might be available to you, please feel free to call or text me at 650-383-8050 or email julianna.black@sjlibrary.org. I’d be happy to help you achieve your goals!
LEARN MORE ABOUT SJPL’S YOUTH SERVICES