Join us at the Find Your Thing Fair on Oct 10! RSVP now →

Find your people. Offline.

We're a local nonprofit helping high schoolers build friendships, find their passions, and boost their social health through community events and connection fairs.

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1 in 3
teens report not having a single close friend to lean on.
3+ hrs
of daily screen time is linked to higher rates of anxiety.
15
The health impact of chronic loneliness equals smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
How We Started

Let's be honest: being a teen right now is tough.

Between academic pressure, social media anxiety, and the lingering effects of a disconnected few years, finding a genuine community isn't as easy as it used to be. A lot of kids feel like they're the only ones sitting alone, when in reality, so many of their peers are feeling the exact same way.

That's why we launched Youth Connect CLE, a Cleveland-based initiative dedicated to strengthening teen social health. We wanted to bridge the gap between teens who want friends and the incredible local clubs, groups, and hobbies scattered across our city.

We are proud to be inspired by and aligned with the Pittsburgh Social Health Initiative, exploring community-driven solutions to social isolation and measuring the impacts of connection on public health.

Think of us as the ultimate community matchmakers.
Resources & Research

Why social health matters.

We should treat social health just like physical or mental health. Research shows that strong, offline connections are the biggest predictors of long-term wellbeing in young adults.

Toolkit

Resources for Connection

A curated list of local groups, tools, and actionable steps to help teens jumpstart their journey to finding community.

View Toolkit →
Brief

The Practice of Belonging

A student-led research brief authored by the founder of YCC, exploring actionable strategies for rebuilding adolescent connection.

View the Findings →
Article

The Epidemic of Loneliness

The Surgeon General declared loneliness a public health crisis, highlighting how adolescents are missing critical developmental milestones.

Read the Report →

Our mission is simple: get teens together.

We're dedicated to helping Cleveland's youth build meaningful relationships through shared interests and safe environments. No algorithms, no filters. Just real people finding their thing.

Accessible to Everyone

The Find Your Thing Fair is a completely free connection fair for teens across greater Cleveland. We ensure you have a place to show up without barriers—including easy accessibility via RTA public transit right to the CPL Downtown.

Interest-Driven Connections

Whether you are looking for your people, your passion, or your next opportunity, this is the place to find it. We connect you with incredible local organizations to match your vibe.

Safe and Supportive

We help teens find familiar, welcoming 'third spaces' that foster belonging. Research shows that regular presence in these spaces creates familiarity and increases adolescent social well-being.
Our Signature Event

The Find Your Thing Fair.

Imagine a giant expo, but instead of college recruiters, it's packed with every cool club, hobby group, and youth organization in Cleveland. Come walk around, grab some food, and find your new weekend crew.

When
October 10
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where
CPL Downtown
Cleveland Public Library
Requirements
RSVP Required
Open to ages 13–18
Heads up: Space is limited for this free event, so an RSVP is mandatory to get in the door. Grab your ticket now to secure your spot!
RSVP on Eventbrite
Work With Us

Want to help out?

Whether you're an organization looking to set up a booth, a parent or teen wanting to volunteer, or a local business ready to sponsor, we'd love to chat.

Host a Booth

Are you a club or organization that wants more teen members? Let's get you a spot at our next fair.

Get in Touch

Drop us a line and our team will get back to you.