It's hard to miss the Teen Workshop as you drive down Mission Boulevard. The vibrant building pops out with its all-over Native American themed artwork, which features a mural of Quetzalcoatl and other native deities painted by local community members. Inside, middle and high school students can learn how to build and repair bikes, screen print t-shirts, make signs, woodwork and make videos. Computer graphics and art classes are available upon request. Due to budget cuts, operation hours have been reduced to five hours a week.
The ARC of Alameda County Union City Facility is one of five program sites across the area. Founded in 1950 by a group of parents to developmentally disabled children, the ARC of Alameda County serves the community and over 600 individuals with borderline to profound disabilities.
This facility offers a vocational development center, and the SCOPE program for adult development to help adults with "community integration," and employment development. Additionally, the center offers an Alternative Ventures Program to enable individuals to volunteer or engage in recreational activities like picnics, trips to museums or galleries, arts and crafts and bingo.
To learn more about these programs and services available at the Union City Facility or other ARC of Alameda County locations, call the provided telephone number to speak to a representative.
A new addition to the city, the Ralph and Mary Ruggieri Senior Center is a one-stop shop for Union City's senior citizens. The center is host to numerous programs and services, offered through the city's Leisure Services Department. Classes include: arts and crafts, beginning ukulele, big band dance, bingo, yoga, tai chi, Spanish, computer and electronics help and much more. Resources offered at this facility are a mobile health clinic, health care counseling, transportation services, acupressure, hearing testing and meal programs. For a full program schedule, visit the Leisure Services activity page.
The center also features a large assembly hall, available for rental, with seating for 200 and hardwood floors and wooden ceilings. Rental rates and guidelines are available on the center's web site.
The 10th Street Community Center, located in a former fire station in the Decoto neighborhood, offers a variety of services and programs for Union City youth. The center offers a free drop-in recreation program for 7- to 12-year-olds that includes arts and crafts, games, special events, homework help and more. The 10th Street Community Center is also home to the Brickhouse Boxing program, which provides a positive environment for youth to learn confidence and discipline through boxing.
Located in Kennedy Park, the Kennedy Community Center hosts a variety of programs, from preschool activities and seasonal youth activity camps to classical Chinese dance classes and Wing Chun Kung Fu lessons. Details can be found in the Leisure Services' activity guide.
Kennedy Community Center is also a great place for intimate gatherings. The assembly hall holds 160 guests and features a recently renovated lobby and restroom facilities. Rental rates are available on the center's website.
Union City Sports Center is a public sports center with a spacious 12,000-square-foot gym, a couple of aerobics room and an exercise room. The exercise room is equipped with treadmills, bikes and other exercise machines. Some of the activities scheduled during the weeks include open-gym basketball, jazzercise classes, volleyball and badminton night. There is a membership fee, which varies based on residency.
Holly Community Center is the western hub for Union City's leisure activities. Activities include ballet, tap and jazz, hip-hop and belly dance lessons, jazzercise classes, martial arts courses and seasonal youth camps. Details can be found in the Leisure Services' activity guide.
The community center also houses the Holly Preschool, a licensed full day program offered through the city's Leisure Services department. The preschool offers full-time or part-time programs for children ages 2.5 to 5 years old. The preschool was also dubbed The Best Preschool in Union City in our Readers' Choice 2012 contest.
Holly Community Center is also a great location for banquets, parties and events. The auditorium room holds up to 250 guests and features a wooden stage and kitchen. The smaller senior room holds up to 90 people. Rental rates are available on its website.