Recently I was speaking with a group of parents, as I explained some of the challenges that face our youth today, the inevitable question arose…”Why don’t we have a Youth Center?” For as long as I have lived in Newburyport, I don’t think a week has gone by that I have not heard that question in one way or another.
This week I went to hear Nina Dickerman speak about friendship among youth. In this discussion, the adults in the group spoke about growing up in neighborhoods where you played from dawn ‘till dusk. This allowed opportunity to make friends, be a friend and strengthen our relationship skills.
A Center has been talked about for years. There have been countless hours spent by so many caring people in our community looking for dedicated space for our youth to have a place that they could come explore who they are and what they can be. The idea gets shot down over and over…”not in my back yard; not my building; not this budget season; we spend so much on education that should be enough; we didn’t have a community center; my kids didn’t need a youth center.”
Our kids are exposed to increasing negative and violent influences, in video games, TV, movies and the Internet. The rate of drug and alcohol use by minors continues to increase, and kids start drinking younger and younger. Most youth today don’t have neighborhood experiences like we did. Over the years we have lost bowling allies, the YMCA, movie theaters, and other healthy choices.
Youth need the opportunity to practice making friends, and being a friend. To me it is as basic as air. As adults, the connections that we share with other adults are important to us. It is vital for youth to have regular opportunities to make strong connections with each other, adults, and the community.
Imagine a place that has rooms for programs, doing homework, or art projects; a gym to play basketball, volleyball, or floor hockey; a space to hold a concert or a dance; an area for pool tables, and ping pong; couches to hang out on and strengthen friendships. Space is needed for after school, during vacations, and in the summer. Imagine youth of all ages from 1 to 101, coming together to play. A safe place where laughter happens and fabulous teen-age energy and attitude are welcomed.
A Center like this could have benefits for our entire community, reducing drug and alcohol use, violence, crime and the words that every parent hates to hear ” I am bored.” Providing this type of place would create greater value of our homes, businesses, and our community.
Newburyport is filled with smart, energetic people. It seems to me that there must be a way to make this happen. The caring adults in Newburyport need to find a way to provide a space that will allow our youth the opportunities to make healthy choices. I invite you to offer your suggestions as to how this can become a reality in our city.
Beth Tremblay Hall, Newburyport