Printable View
I am at hard-core this morning discussing the need for a teen center with my friend Antonio. He is fabulous. He points out The lack of a community location for all of our kids between 13 and 20. Does anyone else think we need a communities space for teens? I know we tried before, what can we do to get it right this time?
a safe place for teens to hang out is important.
having a Y [ymca where many of us went after our high school let out was critical for me. we had a juke box, hung out and talked w. friends. there was a room w. ping pong tables. we sat, talked, listened to a handful of songs again and again. sunshine of your love, one year, my girl the previous year.
there was a "girls counselor" --amazing woman--, and one for the guys. there were projects (in house, and out), activities (youth and government, dances, trips, student exchanges)].
many people just "hung out after school", some were involved at different levels.
my connections to Y friends, is strong. some great memories. the Y was important part of negotiating those painful years.
i know little about the sebastopol center--why it failed here. don't know what elements could be successfully replicated.
it was a safe place to meet where we felt comfortable. i loved knowing that there were a cast of friends who i would see there. (two different high schools came together there).
having someone who i trusted and was great to talk to was was invaluable.
not sure what a contemporary version of this would look like almost 50 years later.
believe it could be a worthwhile endeavor.
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by Lawrence:
This is a great idea. There is nothing around here for kids to walk to after school and be safe. Chops in Santa Rosa is great but difficult to get to without a ride.