5.0. PRSR 07-10-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT - Compiled in cooperation with Comm.Ed. and Comm. Rec. Staff General outline of presentation: "A Place to Go and Be" 12 June 1996 1. History/background: A. past efforts and experiences. About 1984, a collaboration of youth-serving professionals calling themselves the Committee for Bare Streets fostered a program through Community Education known as CBS. This program served senior and junior high, in an attempt to offer social and entertainment opportunities for teens: pig roasts, open gyms, dances and other organized events. They accumulated video games, TV's, Nintendo sets & games, sports equipment, a big screen TV, pizza ovens, a microwave, tuner and cassette deck, and stereo speakers. This equipment has been passed on to subsequent programs. The program evolved into 728 YOUTH which still exists today, organizing dances, parties and summer outings for teens and now pre-teens as well. In 1991, Community Education organized a summer"hang-out" spot known as the YOU. Intended for kids in grades 5-9, it offered a supervised open gym spot for basketball, video games, puzzles, pinball, card/board games and just a spot to be with friends. It functioned only during summer weeks, late June into August, in elementary school gyms close to the mall, and was hampered by the need for school spaces to be cleaned and prepped for the school year, gym floors to be stripped and sealed. It had no place to be during the school year due to heavy gym use, so suffered from lack of continuity and ease of promotion during summer months. About the time it became known, it closed for the year. In 1994 & 1995, it was moved for 2 weeks each summer to Zimmerman and Rogers, with good success in both locations the first year, success at Rogers only in 411 1995. Attendance last summer, 1995, in Elk River was sparse to non-existent. Staffing did not appear to be the cause for lack of interest, since the same staff in previous summers was valued by the kids for their attitude and fair play, friendliness. Program strengths have been siting the YOU in a busy residential area that seems to be highly visible on a travel route for kids. The program itself is not highly structured allowing kids to do their own programming nightly, setting their own agenda based on who's there. Staff has been a definite plus, maintaining a balance between discipline without seeming authoritarian, encouraging all kids to be a participant in some way. Shortcomings come down to lack of a means to promote to and contact kids during the summer months of operation. The seasonal nature of the center prohibited an establishment of a routine that had some continuity and allowed for expansion based on word-of- mouth. It was here and then it was gone for another 9 months. Having no permanent home, location or consistent on-going space hampered growth of a reputation and an identifiable "home" that would be a magnet for longer than 3 months at a time. In conclusion, there has been some history in this area for doing things for kids, including a youth center. While we acknowledge the attractiveness of such a proposition, we have the experience to know the obstacles and audience quirks that make such a center a challenge. B. other supporting youth oriented efforts and research: I Issues associated with youth and "things or a place" have been the subject of concern and investigation recently in numerous areas. The 2001 Committee has a long history of interest in youth. The Community Youth Task Force which came about as part of 2001 efforts has studied this issue for nearly 3 years and has recently launched their recommendations. Superintendent David Flannery • has asked Community Education to investigate a model program in Bumsville that specifically serves the Junior High age. Several residents have been exploring the feasibility of a Boys and Girls Club and there have been other groups that have been advocating for a Community Center of sorts for youth opportunities. And Steve Davis a Junior High instructor conducted some surveys as to youth