Youth Center Moves Forward with New Name and Same Mission
There’s something exciting happening at The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem. Our youth center has a new name—but the same trusted heart and mission behind it.
We’re proud to introduce the Ken Carlson Red Shield Youth Center, a name that reflects both our legacy and our future. Formerly known as the Boys & Girls Club, the center has returned to its original identity, reaffirming our commitment to providing faith-based, community-focused youth programming rooted in The Salvation Army’s values.
While the name may be new to some, everything our families have come to love and rely on remains the same.
“We still provide the same after-school care, summer camps, mentoring, and enrichment programs that parents have come to trust,” said Sylvia Adams, Area Director of the Red Shield Youth Center. “The same staff is here. The same care is here. And our purpose—to create a safe and uplifting space for every child who walks through our doors—is stronger than ever.”
The transition marks the end of our formal affiliation with the Boys & Girls Club of America, which concluded in early January of 2025. While that chapter has closed, it has opened the door for a renewed sense of identity and focus.
“This shift allows us to operate fully within our mission, values, and faith,” Adams added. “It gives us flexibility to grow in new ways while continuing to do what we’ve always done best—serve the children of this community with excellence, compassion, and purpose.”
The Ken Carlson Red Shield Youth Center continues to be a place where children thrive. From hands-on STEM activities and creative arts to nutritious snacks, tutoring, and character-building recreation, the center nurtures every aspect of a child’s development—mind, body, and spirit.
“We’re proud of our history with the Boys & Girls Club,” Adams shared. “But we’re equally proud of what this new chapter represents: a return to our roots, a celebration of our mission, and a renewed excitement for the future.”
As The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem moves forward, one thing is clear: the Red Shield remains a symbol of safety, stability, and hope for every child who walks through our doors.