The Charles River Collaboratory draws upon the wisdom of a multitude of youth voices from a wide spectrum of backgrounds and experiences. The Collaboratory is committed to fostering the creation of a community centered space where youth feel valued, welcome, safe, and respected. At the Collaboratory we strive to create a community of trust, where more experienced youth are role models and mentors to their younger peers. Embedded in this approach is the valuing of youth voice, the recognition that everyone can do STEM and that differences are not obstacles but are seeding grounds for creative problem solving. At the Collaboratory, youth have a range of opportunities to build their confidence in doing STEM, to develop a broad range of skills, and to be re-affirmed that they can do challenging STEM work. The Collaboratory is a community space where failures and successes are celebrated, interests explored, role models abound and on any given day with a single glance around the space, youth will see others from the same neighborhoods as them and know they are not alone.