Youth Development Program HISTORY

PAACA is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.  At the program's inception in 1983 the program focused solely on adults.   In 1992 the organization made a concerted effort to stem the tide of future addicts by reaching out to young people with a message of hope and living a drug free lifestyle.  The plan was to reach young people in attempt to help them understand addiction and provide them with the tools necessary to build solid coping skills, so that drug use was not an option.   

In 1995, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health provided PAACA with a small grant to begin a support group for young people effected by substance abuse and/or HIV.  Youth on the Move was born that was PAACA's first official youth group.  Two years later the INSIGHT teen center was developed on Brock Avenue and served as a meeting space for the group as well as the site for a very successful City of New Bedford Invest in Kids program.  The focus has always been on trying to help young people who might be having some problems gain the skills they need to overcome those problems and live a healthy lifestyle. 

Since those humble beginnings, PAACA has broadened its reach and services to young people to include Youth Court, and Citizen Schools. 

We will be adding information on all  of the PAACA programs in the weeks to come.  If you have questions about programs now please email us at: