The Thoreau Community Center was established in the summer of 2010 to provide local youth and adults with resources to improve their health and wellbeing, increase community involvement, and improve children's performance in schools. Located within the Eastern Navajo Nation Reservation in New Mexico, which reported 15 suicides between 2009-2010, the center was initially established to give students a place to get help with homework and focus on their future educational and career goals, while forging stronger connections with their local community. The scope of the community center's programming has since expanded to also provide fitness, dance, and cooking classes, as well as weekly movie nights and access to a computer lab. Adults in the community can now also participate in programs focusing on job placement and volunteerism.

The Thoreau Community Center provides resources and special programs focused on health/well-being, education, and recreation in order to inspire hope, joy, and progress within Thoreau and neighboring communities.

Since its inception, the Thoreau Community Center has been a vital resource for the community and has impacted the lives of many at-risk community members.