Mary Griffin founded The Caring Place Youth Development Center almost 25 years ago, in June 1996. As emphasized in its name, this organization focuses on society's young people.
Prior to the inception of The Caring Place, the extent of Griffin's volunteer experience was primarily focused on working with seniors. The switch to teenagers was inspired by the unmet needs that Griffin saw in troubled youth within the community, wanting to reach those who may have been exposed to drugs, violence, teen pregnancy, unemployment and hopelessness. Offerings include their year-round after-school program, a mentoring program, a science lab program, a college tours program, a sign language program, a garden program and an entrepreneur program.
“The Caring Place provides programs and activities designed to help young people overcome the pressures and limitations of their environment,” says Griffin. “We want children and youth to believe that life offers more than the social ills around them.”
Griffin quit her day job to start The Caring Place with her own personal funds, saying she carried out her mission through her faith. What started as 12 participants has now grown to more than 500 participants per year.
The Caring Place owns Taste of Soul, a restaurant in Allentown that donates all of the proceeds to the Youth Development Center, and Anna's Commercial Kitchen, an incubator for entrepreneurs who want to work in the food industry but do not have the resources.
“When I work directly with the youth, I have so much fun and I get so many hugs,” says Griffin. “[I love] when I cook at the restaurant or on the food truck and I see the faces of people enjoying the food I cooked.”
Griffin hopes to leave a legacy with her foundation for the next generation.
