At the corner of 1 Aurora L. Gonzalez Dr. in Toledo, The Believe Center has become a hub for youth and families looking for a safe, supportive place to grow. Founded with the mission: “rooted in hope, committed to well-being, and grounded in safety,” the center empowers young people to build confidence, connect with their community, and create lasting change.
A place for everyone
The Believe Center serves children as young as kindergarten age through 17, offering a mix of sports, educational, and cultural programming. Director Vincent Riccardi describes it as more than just an after-school program:
“This is a youth organization where you can play sports, get tutoring help. We help new adults find jobs in the community. We even go into schools with our ‘Too Good for Drugs’ program to talk about positive choices and substance abuse.”
Importantly, most programs are either free or low-cost. “We want this so that money is never an issue,” Riccardi emphasized.
Programs that build futures
The Believe Center offers a wide variety of activities, including:
- Youth Flag Football
- El Corazón de México dance program
- Toledo Boxing Association
- Lady Tigers Softball
- Youth Coaches Clinic
- Rana Sana cultural programming
Program Director Elaina Hernandez notes the long-term impact.
“For our dance group, every single participant graduated high school. Many of the kids love it so much here that they come back as adults to volunteer. We’ve become one big family,”Hernandez
Breaking barriers and building trust
The center’s bilingual staff helps bridge language gaps in the community. But what makes the Believe Center truly stand out is the trust it builds with its youth.
“They even trust us with their personal issues,” Hernandez said. “We listen and help guide them to the right resources.”
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Powered by volunteers and community support
Much of the Believe Center’s success comes from former participants who now volunteer. Still, more help is needed.
“We’re always looking for more volunteers,” Riccardi said. “If you want to get involved, just call or come in and apply. We run background checks to keep the community safe, but everyone is welcome.”
The center’s biggest challenge is funding. With reduced government support, they rely heavily on fundraisers and community donations to keep programs affordable. shared his dream.
“We work with what we have, but one day we hope to expand the building. A bigger space would be amazing for the kids,” Riccardi said.
Upcoming events
The Believe Center also engages the community with events throughout the year, including:
- September 5 – Broadway Street Fest
- October 18 – Trunk or Treat, partnered with Lucas County Child Services
- November 24 – Annual Turkey Giveaway (over 200 turkeys distributed)
How to get involved
Community members can support the Believe Center by volunteering, mentoring, donating, or simply showing up at outreach events. Look for their tables at local festivals and gatherings.
For more information:
(567) 200-2027
believecenter.org
believecenter@gmail.com
Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/believeintoledo
Instagram: @believecenterinc
