The mission of Arsenal Family & Children’s Center (AFCC) is to promote and to be an advocate for the healthy development of young children and support their parents in building a nurturing relationship with each child.

Our philosophy is built on more than 50 years of observation, careful study, and work with young children. During this time we have learned two things that are essential to the healthy development of children; 1) opportunities for active learning through play and 2) the passionate involvement of an adult in their lives.

To facilitate active learning through play, AFCC specializes in play experiences that invite children to explore, create, and manipulate ideas and objects that are important to them. Through active participation with toys, materials, and the natural environment children learn in personally meaningful ways, accomplishing two broad goals:

1. Develop the entire child intellectually, emotionally, psychosocially, and physically by significantly influencing a child’s ability to successfully manage life events and facilitating the development of such skills as self-awareness, impulse control, zeal, self-motivation and empathy.
2. Transmit essential human values including, respect, compassion, and honesty through the use of unstructured but guided play time, and positive adult guidance and modeling.

The passionate involvement of an adult who is devoted to that child’s well-being and development is paramount to each child’s intellectual, emotional, psychosocial, and physical development. AFCC offers parents and families opportunities to build and nurture this relationship through the programs offered at both the Friendship and Clairton locations, as well as through guest speakers, educational and resource materials, and parent consultations.

*Arsenal Family & Children's Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin (inlcuding limited English proficiency), age, sex, or sexual orientation. Arsenal Family & Children's Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.