visits, volunteer work, skiing and hang-out sessions.

Through these activities, the Champaign Park District has reached more than 300 youth. The success of the program stems from the vision of its coordinator, Eddie Fay, who empowers the youth to plan their own programs and events.

Drop-in Site
The youth leaders of the Teen Advisory Committee are currently focusing the majority of their brain-storming efforts on a drop-in site at the Springer Cultural Center where youth will have the opportunity to hang out in a safe and comfortable environment. Scheduled activities will include enrichment and education activities. Computers, open space, games and homework assistance will also be available.

Park district staff are also very excited about a new cultural arts component. In partnership with the University of Illinois' Theatre and Dance Departments, School of Music and the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, the drop-in site will include one afternoon a week of hands-on activities in drama, dance, music and visual arts taught by university students.

Bottom Line: Youth Benefit from Creating Alternatives to Negative Pressures
Just as the impetus of the Champaign Park District's youth program is based on community need, the success of its individual components is based on the individual needs of the youth. Facilitated by dynamic program directors, the youth are directly involved in the planning of all aspects of the Risk Takers, the Teen Advisory Committee, and the Drop-in Site. Through these programs, youth are empowered to design their own positive alternatives to negative pressures.

When a community listens to the voice of youth, youth reap enormous benefits. According to a local middle school principal, students who participate in these youth-driven programs "make great strides in not only personal, but academic performance. For example, when one of our young girls participated in the (Risk Takers Prevention Theatre Troupe), her suspensions went down by 150 percent, her attendance was no longer problematic and her grades dramatically improved. Another student involved was witnessed by her teachers as more willing to participate in classroom activities. She also seemed to gain self-esteem and would walk more confidently throughout the halls."

As witnessed by this principal: "These programs give our children a place to be successful."

JULIA LOOFBOURROW
is the cultural arts special events manager of the Champaign Park District.

TAMMY THOMAS PAUL, CLP
is the director of the Champaign Park District's Springer Cultural Center