Search

wHY THIS PROJECT MATTERS


​South Hayward is a dynamic community that is home to some of the most diverse census tracts in the nation. There are more than 50 languages spoken in the mile surrounding the future Stack Center and 60% of households speak a language other than English at home. It's a hardworking neighborhood that is home to some of the highest percentage of front line employees in the Bay Area. It is also a community where young people and families face many barriers to success.
The population in South Hayward has grown 40% in the past three decades, 12% more than the regional average, at the same time that the area has experienced commercial and service disinvestment. Long-time residents are now struggling with rising housing prices, but have not benefited from their share of the Bay Area's economic growth. ​

​​Faced with these challenges, resilient community members have combined forces with elected officials, faith-base organizations, and service providers. The Stack Center project represents the culmination of our vision to create a neighborhood anchor that will be a cultural center, service hub, and economic catalyst.

Community driven design

The Stack Center design is based on years of community-led input, surveys, and meetings. In addition, the design process integrated youth participation to collaboratively create the look and feel of the Center and prioritize program areas. 

Nineteen young people, aged 13 - 23, were selected to participate in a four month collaborative design workshop. Through various interactive exercises, young people shared stories of their hopes, ambitions, and struggles. These were captured into design features that were critiqued and refined. Watch this video to learn more about this process. 

Sustainable design

The Stack Center will feature a range of sustainability features. Natural bio-retention areas will capture storm water and be a safe haven for local wildlife. The new building is designed to be zero net energy, meaning it will generate as much electricity as it consumes through renewable sources, reducing carbon emissions and saving providers on utility costs. 

The City of Hayward has been recognized globally for its focus on sustainability. This project will ensure community members share in the pride of being environmental leaders.
Picture
Rendering of Stack Center Solar System

The History Behind Our Vision

Community members in South Hayward have long held the dream of building a new youth and family center at the corner of Tennyson and Ruus Roads. In 1979, Eden Youth and Family Center moved into the existing center (formerly Tennyson Elementary School) to address the area’s disproportionate lack of health care, education, and other social services. ​
​The aging buildings and underlying utilities at the current center have reached their useful life and no longer meet the needs of the existing providers. In addition, the community recognizes the need to expand the center's scope to include new providers and create an integrated, 21st century service model. In response to this vision, the City of Hayward, Alameda County, and the Hayward Area Recreation and Parks District (HARD) formed a Governance Group in 2015 to jointly work with community leaders to conduct a needs assessment and identify potential operators for an expanded facility. Through a competitive process in 2017, the Governance Group identified La Familia Counseling Services and Eden Youth and Family Center as the recommended joint non-profit operators of the facility.

Inside the center

The new building will house an entire floor of health services, a variety of event and art spaces, and a corner café. Learn more about the types of programs and the spaces they'll use below:

Confirmed Providers and Partners