Rock N Roll Meeting Notes

ROCK ‘N ROLL MEETING
Reshaping Our Community Justice with Knowledge, Reform, Optimism, Latitude & Love
Rock ‘n Roll Meeting
Thursday, May 23, 2002

 Attendees:  Jody Moss, Mike Svec YMCA Teen Program Director, Khai Donahue, Kim Kettle, Jim Borte, Susan Alexander, Jody Jacobsen

PRESENTATION:  Mike Svec, YMCA Teen Program Director presented information about the 1) Teen Scene and a web-site he has created called 2) Washington United Teens (WUT). 

Mike shared a video outlining Teen Scene events, featuring local teens using the facility.  The Teen Scene uses the facility and location to base activities that support teen interests.  The Skateboard Park (also used for roller blades and bikes) is one of the biggest attractions at the Teen Scene currently.  Some of the riders are very talented and are sponsored by brand-name suppliers.  They bring a ton of energy to the facility and draw a lot of kids in doors to watch.

They also offer a Music Studio for mixing sounds, Pool, Video games and have their own “Kickback.com” Café.  Midnight basketball is also offered and regularly attended by many kids and is run by the Teen Scene at the Oakstreet facility.  Other events include Karaoke, Open Mic and Girls Night at the Teen Scene.  They have also partnered with North Olympic Youth Centers and are hosting pool tournaments at Tempest.

The Teen Scene does serve a high-risk population however, most youth seem to be in between.  The last nine months has seen a younger population.  Membership is open to youth 13-19 years of age.  75% of the members are male, with 25% female.  Over the last several months they have been trying to offer more services for teen girls.  Stacy Poirer, Assistant Teen Program Director, and Susan Armstrong, a volunteer, have started a group female mentoring program that includes a Girls-Night-Out at the Teen Scene with Susan and Stacy.  Susan also comes down to the Teen Scene every Thursday and cooks a homemade meal for all of the kids. 

Over the past year, attendance has increased from an average of 250 kids per month to 450 kids per month. They are a drop-in facility but you have to be a member (mainly for emergency contact information).  Membership fee is $2.00 for six months even at that collecting the money is hard, especially from out-of-towners.  Currently have about 250 registered members with approximately 100 regular attendees. 

They have made every effort to keep drugs out of the facility and have a good working relationship with local law enforcement and probation.  Teen Scene staff have been trained to know what to look for and some teens will inform the staff that something is going on.  Most teens respect the facility and want to help keep it a safe place.  Contrary to reports, the majority of arrests have occurred off-site from the Teen Scene. 

The Teen Scene may be moving due to budget and lease option problems.  The Teen Scene was impacted by a $40-50,000 grant loss this year.  The current proposal is to move the Teen Scene up to house owned by the YMCA near the Oakstreet location.  The move will include a reduction is some programming, specifically the skateboard park, but will offer some additional options for the teens, including easier access to the basketball courts, use of the weight-room and participation in YMCA programming such as Aerobics, Racquetball, etc.  The Oakstreet location will be much smaller and there is some concern about moving it out of the downtown area.   However, funding is the issue and they are going to do what they can to continue to provide a center for teens while working on additional funding. 

Summer programs usually focus on taking the kids out of their normal environment.  They usually plan several trips to locations such as the Seattle Center, Wild Waves, and sporting events.  It is uncertain what programs they will be able to offer this summer.  May need to look at other activities which are closer to home. 

Washington United Teens (WUT) is a web-site (www.teen2do.com) created by Mike that is designed to feature programs and services for teens throughout Washington State.  Mike has been trying to collaborate with multiple agencies to get the web-site up and running for their use.  He took us on a tour of the site that showed easy navigation, search options, agency registration, a Director’s Doorway and a calendar of events.  Teens and Teen Program and Service providers can quickly locate Clallam County on the site, narrow search to a specific city within the county and see a list of all registered teen organizations and services offered throughout the county.  The list includes the agency/program name (link), phone number, director’s email address (link) and type of organization (Center, Program, Resource, etc).  If you click on the agency name, more description of the type of service the agency/group provides is listed.  Registration is currently free to Clallam County residents as Mike is using our county as a pilot program to present to other counties.  The calendar of events will post all activities throughout the county for the month and you can click on a given day.  The Director’s Corner is a networking resource for individuals working with kids who need advice.  You can post a question on the site and review previously asked questions. 

The audience agreed that this web-site looked like a great resource for Clallam County.  It is fully operational although the site is still under-construction and will have further advancements as finances permit.  Please check it out at www.teen2do.com or you can email Mike directly with questions/suggestions at mike@teen2do.com.

PROJECT UPDATES:

See Agenda

MEMBER REPORTS:

PDRC (Peninsula Dispute Resolution Center) reported that Parent/Teen Mediation up and running.  One mediation has already occurred.  There will be a $25.00 fee although there is a sliding fee scale and no one will be turned away.  A couple more mediations are in the works.  The Parent/Teen model pairs an adult and teen mediator together to mediate a parent and teen participant.  The biggest hurdle is getting teen mediators for any length of time as the current mediators are scheduled to graduate and move. 

Jamestown Prevention Program will be sponsoring the Parent & Teen Driving Night program “Handing over the Keys” (tying it in with the mandatory parent night), Monday, June 3rd,  at 6:00 PM at the Sequim High School Cafeteria.  The first ˝ hour is very hands on (goggles, bikes, etc..) then there will be a few guest speakers from CCSO.  A representative from an insurance company previously came and spoke to the parents about the difference in insurance between a clean teen driving record and one with an offense.  The parents reported that this information was very helpful to them.  The parents are given three different contracts regarding drug/alcohol use to use with their teen(s). 

Jamestown also reported that Khai, their Teen Prevention Specialist, participated in compliance checks during the month.  She reported that 5 out of 7 places sold Tobacco to her including 2 – PA, 1 - Clallam Bay, 1 - Forks, and 1 - Sekiu.  They also attempted to conduct alcohol compliance checks in Port Townsend however they didn’t work as the word got out once they hit their first business and the businesses warned each other. 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

See Agenda

WEBSITES OF INTEREST:

See Agenda

NEXT MEETING
***CANCELLED - Thursday, June 27th, 2002
4-5:00 PM
Juvenile Services

 

Agendas and Minutes available on the Prevention Works! Web-site at:

http:  www.preventionworkscc.org/rocknroll.htm


 

Minutes and Agendas can be viewed on the web at:  www.preventionworkscc.org/rocknroll.htm

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