South Second Street Youth Center Celebrates Building Ownership Milestone

South Second Street Youth Center marked a milestone on Thursday, June 18, with a lease-burning ceremony at its 200 Plainfield Avenue facility. The event celebrated SSYC's transition from tenant to owner—a moment that caps eight years of steady progress and signals a new chapter in the organization's 60-year commitment to Plainfield youth.

"When we entered this building in September 2018, we did so as tenants, but we also entered with a promise," said Leah Cates, SSYC Executive Director. "We promised to be good stewards of this facility, to guard it with excellence, to strengthen our organization and to create a future where one day, we might be able to call this building our home. For eight years, we honored that promise."

Ownership brings something that renting cannot: stability, sustainability, and the freedom to dream bigger. For a nonprofit serving 210 children through preschool programs as a contractor with Plainfield Public Schools, plus after-school services, summer STEAM enrichment, field trips, and a Navigator Program linking families to health and social services, that kind of certainty matters profoundly.

The path to ownership was built on partnership. The move to 200 Plainfield Avenue in 2018 was financed through the New Markets Tax Credit Program and facilitated by M&T Bank, which made its first-ever investment of this kind in its 168-year history. That partnership proved durable. In December 2025, M&T Bank successfully unwound its New Markets Tax Credit investment, exercising a call/put agreement that allowed developer J.G. Petrucci to purchase the bank's equity interest for $1,000. Petrucci then sold the building to SSYC at a below market price.

Union County Life covers Plainfield nonprofits, youth services, and community organizations making a difference in education and child development.

Through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority tax-exempt bond program and direct loan program, SSYC became the official owner of its first asset in the organization's 60-year history.

"Ownership allows us to dream bigger, plan farther ahead, and continue expanding the services our children need most," Cates said.

The celebration drew support from partners who understand what this moment means. Plainfield City Council President Julienne Cherry recognized SSYC's decades of work. "For generations, Second Street Youth Center has been a safe haven and a source of hope for countless young people in Plainfield," Cherry said. "This achievement positions your organization for greater impact in the years ahead."

Dr. Elizabeth Filippatos, Acting Superintendent of Plainfield Public Schools, emphasized the importance of early childhood education. "When we think about preparing children for success, we often think about kindergarten and beyond, but the truth is, that foundation is laid before a child walks through the doors of an elementary school. It begins with our three- and four-year-olds with experiences that nurture curiosity, build confidence, and create a lifelong love of learning, which happens here."

Kate Howarth, M&T Bank Vice President for Community Development Lending and Investment, reflected on the partnership's power. "Strong communities are built through strong partnerships. This brought together the city of Plainfield, committed developers, mission-driven financial partners and a nonprofit partner with a clear and compelling vision. We were all united by a shared goal to invest in people and place in a way that creates lasting impact."

As SSYC moves forward as a property owner, the organization carries forward its core mission: ensuring that Plainfield's youngest residents have access to nurturing, enriching experiences that shape their future. That mission has not changed. But now, they have a building to call their own.

Discover more Plainfield community news, nonprofit stories, and education updates on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: What is the South Second Street Youth Center?
A: The South Second Street Youth Center (SSYC) is a 60-year-old nonprofit organization in Plainfield that serves children through preschool programs, after-school services, STEAM enrichment, summer field trips, food programs, and a Navigator Program that connects families to health and social services.

Q: How many children does SSYC serve?
A: SSYC serves 210 children through preschool programs as a contractor with Plainfield Public Schools, plus additional children through after-school and summer programs.

Q: When did SSYC move to its current building at 200 Plainfield Avenue?
A: SSYC moved to 200 Plainfield Avenue in September 2018. The building is now located in Plainfield's downtown.

Q: Where did SSYC operate before moving to 200 Plainfield Avenue?
A: Before 2018, SSYC operated for decades at 935 South Second Street. That building is now leased by the City of Plainfield for a workforce development program.

Q: What did the lease-burning ceremony celebrate?
A: The lease-burning ceremony on June 18, 2026, celebrated SSYC's transition from tenant to owner of its building at 200 Plainfield Avenue after eight years.

Q: How did SSYC finance the purchase of its building?
A: The property was financed through the New Markets Tax Credit Program, facilitated by M&T Bank. SSYC later became the official owner through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority's tax-exempt bond program and direct loan program.

Q: What role did M&T Bank play in SSYC's building ownership?
A: M&T Bank made its first-ever New Markets Tax Credit investment to help SSYC move to the building in 2018. In December 2025, M&T Bank exercised a call/put agreement that allowed developer J.G. Petrucci to purchase the bank's equity for $1,000, enabling the sale to SSYC at a below market price.

Q: What is the Navigator Program mentioned in SSYC's services?
A: The Navigator Program connects SSYC families to social services and removes barriers to access related to physical and mental health needs, supporting whole-family wellbeing.

Q: Where can I find more information about SSYC or get involved?
A: For more information about South Second Street Youth Center and its programs, contact SSYC directly. Union County Life covers Plainfield community news and nonprofits. Subscribe for updates on local organizations and youth services.