Family & Youth Service Center in East Baton Rouge set to expand with new facility

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A vital community resource in East Baton Rouge is preparing for a major expansion. The Family and Youth Service Center, which has supported thousands of families since its founding in 2011, is set to break ground on a new facility in January 2026.

The announcement came Monday at the Baton Rouge Press Club. Director Roxson Welch said the upcoming facility will help expand the center’s reach and bring new services under one roof.

“We want to be able to fill it with services that we don’t have right now,” Welch said. “There’s a huge need for some type of housing—to have a place where people can find what’s available.”

The center, located on Government Street, currently houses several agencies offering services like truancy prevention, mental health care, job training, and parenting support. The goal, Welch says, is to provide comprehensive wraparound care for families.

“We work with kids and their families and try to make them as strong as possible,” she added. “You drop in, and you ought to be able to have every need for a family filled right there.”

As the school year approaches, the center is ramping up outreach, encouraging families who need assistance to take advantage of available services.

“Anybody that’s having trouble finding resources for their children, for themselves with their children—reach out to us,” Welch said. “If we don’t know the answer, we’ll find it for you.”

The new facility is expected to open in 2026 and aims to meet the growing needs of families in the region, offering expanded programs and continuing its mission of support and stability.

The Family and Youth Service Center is located on Government Street and provides free services to those in need.

Latest News