Why Youth Services Matter: Relationships at the Heart of AntFarm’s YouthHubs

After school each day, teens begin filtering into AntFarm’s YouthHub spaces in Sandy, Estacada, and Molalla. Some head for the pool table. Others grab a snack, connect to the Wi-Fi, or simply sit and talk with friends. For many of them, it is one of the few places in town where they can simply show up and belong.

“I like hanging out with my friends here,” said Liam, a regular at the Estacada YouthHub. “There are not a lot of places to hang out here.”

AntFarm did not begin as a workforce program or a café. It started with a much simpler idea: give local youth something meaningful to do.

In the early days, the organization focused on outdoor adventures and hands-on activities connecting youth with nature. But as youth and parents began asking for help finding jobs, AntFarm staff realized many young people needed something more basic first: guidance, confidence, and supportive relationships.

Founder and former executive director Two Foxes Singing, known in the community as Nunpa, recognized this early on through his work as a licensed occupational therapist.

“Our mission became about meaningful and purposeful life activities for youth,” Nunpa said. “As we started doing that work, I began to recognize that these activities are really the social determinants of health.”

Over time, AntFarm staff realized the activities themselves were not the most important part of the work. What mattered most were the relationships that formed around them. When youth have trusted adults who show up consistently and listen without judgment, they begin to develop the confidence needed to succeed.

Today, AntFarm operates YouthHubs in Sandy, Estacada, and Molalla. The Hubs are open spaces where youth gather after school, build friendships, and spend time with supportive adults. Young people arrive through drop-ins, referrals, outreach, and community events.

At the center of the YouthHub model is relationship building. Staff spend time with youth every day talking, listening, and mentoring in ways that feel natural rather than formal. Those daily interactions help build trust and create an environment where youth know they are supported.

Angela Davis, AntFarm’s Estacada District Manager, says youth quickly learn that the Hub is a place where they are safe and supported.

“The most important thing we provide our youth here in Estacada is consistency. They know there are expectations here, but they also know they can be themselves. They can laugh out loud, make mistakes, and learn from them.” Davis said “They know we will be here waiting for them when they get out of school,” she said. “Whether we’re talking over a game of pool, eating a meal together, or shooting hoops, they know we will be here again tomorrow and the next day.”

For many youth, the appeal of the Hubs is simple.

“Honestly, it’s just a safe place to come and have fun. Plus, there are free snacks,” said Zoe.

Others say the friendships are what keep them coming back.

“I made a lot of new friends here,” said Emily. “Free Wi-Fi and snacks are a bonus.”

Those simple responses highlight something easy to overlook. When youth have safe spaces, supportive adults, and strong friendships, they build what experts call “protective factors,” which help them navigate challenges and make healthier choices.

While AntFarm now provides a variety of services, those opportunities all grow from the same foundation. The pool tables, snacks, and activities may be what first bring youth through the door, but it is the mentorship, encouragement, and sense of belonging that keep them coming back.

In communities like Sandy, Estacada, and Molalla, those relationships can shape the direction a young person’s life takes for years to come.