Programs by age group
School Age Child Care
The Mystic Learning Center provides high quality year round care for youth age 5-13 (or 16 with special needs), including after school programming, summer camp, vacation programs and more.
Pre-teen Programming
The MLC provides free weekly drop-in programming for youth age 8+. The pre-teen choice club (PTCC) includes a variety activities supported by senior staff, including off-site field trips, dance nights, and more.
Teen Programming
Our Empowering Competent Youth program (ECYP) provides paid work for high schoolers who are interested in working with young people as a peer mentor. Positions include structured academic support, job training, and more.
About Us
A Great Place to Grow Up
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Mystic Learning Center (MLC) is to improve the lives of low-income children and families who live at the Mystic Public Housing Development and surrounding neighborhoods of East Somerville. Our innovative parent and youth service model uses Mystic parents and teens to manage and design all aspects of the program to meet the needs of the community. By being active participants in MLC, residents have the opportunity to enhance their own personal development, have an impact on the development of the program, and make contributions to community life. MLC brings residents together for mutual support as they acquire skills to overcome persistent poverty while creating a healthier community.
The Center operates as a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization and is licensed to provide school age child care by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MLC offers year round educational and recreational activities for youth ages 5-23 during after-school, evening, school-year and summer vacation. MLC is housed in a modern, accessible facility on-site at the Mystic Development which is near public transportation.
