The Children/Adult Recreational and Educational Services, better known as CARES is a faith-based 501© – 3 non-profit organization located in the heart of the Hill District, Pittsburgh, PA. The Center that CARES is anchored in its community, responding to the needs of children, youth, and families through innovative programs and dynamic learning experiences.  The Center that CARES constantly transcends barriers to increase opportunities for children and youth, incorporating cutting-edge technology, forward thinking program design, and best practice models.

Beginning as a vision of hope and progress CARES has expanded into a well-known afterschool program within the Hill District community, thanks to the diligent work of its Founder Rev. Glenn G. Grayson. With the start of a new millennium Rev. Grayson saw an opportunity to begin a new foundation centered on academic, emotional, and psychological progress among the young people of his community. Thus CARES was born with the statement of being The Center that Cares.

Since its inception CARES has provided educational services and cultural activities to children, youth, and young adults year-round.

Through humble beginnings, CARES has been able to progress from serving a total of 6 students in 2000 to nearly 250+ students year-round, as of 2012. It is through this development that CARES has been able to impact the lives of more than 1000 families and their children.

As The Center that Cares grew into a mainstay of the Hill District community it became apparent that a targeted program would need to be developed in hopes of maximizing the effectiveness of CARES to its community’s young people. With the assistance of the CARES professional staff members a plan was devised with the intention of meeting the needs of each individual child at their current developmental level. As a result, a three tier program (found under Track Program) was conceptualized and enacted to make sure that each child received adequate attention during their time at The Center that Cares.

By establishing relationships with other local programs and organizations (found under Programs/Partnerships) CARES has been able to supply their students with cultural and recreational activities within the program and around the city of Pittsburgh.