Aurora Opens Mental Health and Career Center for 417 Fifth Street Students

East Aurora School District 131 marked the opening of its Resilience Education Center on March 20, 2024, at 417 Fifth Street in Aurora.

The project began in 2022 under the direction of the district superintendent and board. District leaders describe the center as a direct response to needs that surfaced after the pandemic, aiming to build social skills and academic preparation alongside traditional schooling at other sites.

Programs tailored to Aurora youth

High school juniors and seniors can take daily electives in areas such as art, music production, broadcast journalism, dance, yoga, gaming, coding and culinary arts. Seventh through tenth graders gain access after school for activities run by staff and community partners. Private counseling rooms allow individual and group sessions for referred students, creating a dedicated space for emotional support within the same building.

Additional features include 2-D and 3-D art rooms, an e-sports center, a dance and yoga studio, a broadcast television studio equipped for live newscasts, a podcast studio and a culinary kitchen with an attached café. District officials noted that these spaces grew from direct input from middle and high school students about activities that would draw them in.

Family engagement and next steps

Weekend workshops and programs for parents of children of all ages are planned to increase involvement in the educational process. The assistant director of the center highlighted the opportunity to bring families together around student development in the East Aurora community.

Residents can find current schedules and referral details through the district website or by contacting their school counselor. The facility remains open for ongoing use by District 131 students and families, with updates available from East Aurora School District 131.