NEPA Youth Center

A report from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development showed the number of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. hit record levels in 2024. Local organizations say they need the public's support to address the needs of the community.

Maureen Maher-Gray founded the NEPA Youth Shelter in 2016. The organization now runs a Housing Program and Teen Center, and as of 2023, owns a three-unit apartment building to provide affordable housing to teens experiencing homelessness.

An empty warehouse in view of Scranton High School isn’t much to look at right now - it’s mostly open space, a concrete floor, and blank walls.But Maureen Maher-Gray, director of the NEPA Youth Shelter, sees a blank canvas where teens in her after-school program will soon unleash their creativity.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Events planned for around the region will provide opportunities to eat, play and do good for others.

The NEPA Youth Shelter has found a temporary home for its teen after-school program days before the deadline to move out of the Scranton building they’ve called home for more than seven years.

The NEPA Youth Shelter had hoped to find a new space for their Teen Center by August, in time for the new school year. That hasn’t happened yet, but Maureen Maher-Gray hasn’t given up. She’s still packing up the teen center and pounding the pavement in search of a new facility.

The NEPA Youth Shelter serves teens experiencing homelessness and students throughout Scranton from its Teen Center. Now they have until September 1 to find a new building.