By Sahara Bulls, Jubilee Housing Staff

With acne, crushes, and school being only a few of the worries they face, many teenagers can feel that life is challenging. At Jubilee Housing’s Teen Center, Emmanuel Gbajobi provides tools to help Jubilee teenagers make a smooth transition from adolescence to young adulthood.

Gbajobi’s experience working with youth started in 2009, when he was a soccer coach at SoccerTots. As the years went on, he dedicated his time to D.C. United, the city Department of Parks and Recreation, and United Community Ministries, working with youth and their families.

After working outside of the city for a few months, Gbajobi wanted to come back to work in the District and found the perfect opportunity with Jubilee Housing. “I appreciate the values and initiative that Jubilee presents and upholds,” he said. “Jubilee has an element that was missing in other organizations, and that was the opportunity to really impact the community, without limitations.”

Gbajobi works as Jubilee’s teen services coordinator. He provides the teens with a serene environment in the Teen Center, “with soft music in the background” he said. They can hang out and receive assistance in planning their futures.

The Jubilee Housing Teen Center is open five days a week. The space contains pool and foosball tables, study rooms, a large screen TV, and a lounge area with comfortable sofas.

A typical day at the center consists of homework time, program updates, and enrichment programs, such as SAT prep and other college and careers readiness programs. The rest of the time is free for the teenagers to wind down and relax before heading home.

Born in Nigeria and raised in Philadelphia, Gbajobi relocated to the Washington, D.C., area in 2005. He completed high school at Crossland High School in Maryland.

Gbajobi is keen on learning. He enjoys documentaries about world history, indigenous tribes, and Earth. He’s also a social studies enthusiast. When he was in 6th grade, he aced a social studies test. “I had a social studies exam where I had to write all the European countries, and I finished it in under six minutes and scored 92 percent,” he said. “My teacher thought I somehow cheated, so he made me do it again. I completed it in about five minutes and scored 98 percent.”

Gbajobi brings this same focus and confidence to his role at the Teen Center. One teen said “Emmanuel is so helpful and organized. He’s also a great accountability partner. I told him I was interested in securing money for college, and the next time I was at the center he had a whole list of scholarships I could apply for!”