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PARK DISTRICTS, FOREST PRESERVES AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS WORKING TOGETHER WITH CIVIC AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO BUILD OUR COMMUNITIES

Over the past several years, the St. Charles Park District has expanded its teen programming by offering more dances, more trips, and more special events. Enrollment has increased and attendance records have been broken. Yet, teens still wanted a place to call their own, somewhere they could just hang out and be themselves. So they helped create one.

About 30 area teens worked with a group of community leaders from the St. Charles Park District, the City of St. Charles' Youth Commission, Community Unit School District 303, and a local not-for-profit organization, to establish a teen center called "STC Underground." It opened in January of this year in the heart of downtown St. Charles and is designed to service students in grades six through twelve.

Homework: A Survey to Determine Interest

To determine the true level of interest in the teen center, the park district staff—working in partnership with the City's Youth Commission—conducted a survey in the spring of 1999. The survey was designed to solicit opinions about the perceived need for and possible design of a teen center for ages 11 to 18. Of approximately 3,608 residents in the targeted age group, the response rate was 44 percent. The data indicated overwhelming support for a teen center.

Based on the information gathered from a sample, respondents (30 %) indicated they would attend a youth center once a week. Highest attendance would be on Friday nights (30%) followed by Saturdays (13.2%), Saturday nights (12%), and Sundays (11.3%). Activities that were more appealing to students were dances (70%), a drop-in/hang out area (60.5%), trips (53%), TV/movies (49%), video games (43.5%), band nights (36%), table games (28%), group counseling (8.1%) and tutoring (6.9%). The five highest ranked types of equipment, in order of importance, were a stereo, a pool table, air hockey, a juke box and computers.

Study Groups: A Youth Coalition Forms

The St. Charles Youth Coalition was formed to address the needs expressed through the survey. Comprised of teens and community leaders from the St. Charles Park District, St. Charles Youth Commission, and Community Unit School

District 303, coalition members met bimonthly with the goal of establishing a safe, drug- and alcohol-free community center with positive role models at the helm. Nearly everyone involved was a volunteer. People of all ages were encouraged to become involved in the planning stages of the teen center. It was the hope of the committee that the community would offer valuable support, since many volunteers were needed to make the center a reality.

The Youth Coalition created four committees to receive additional input on various aspects of the teen center including design, policies, publicity, and fund-raising opportunities. Members of the Youth Coalition strongly urged the students of St. Charles to help with the decision making behind their teen center, and about 40 teens volunteered. The Design and Decorating Committee planned and designed the teen center's theme including colors, entertainment equipment, and furniture. The Logistics and Policies Committee developed the procedures to be implemented and helped to determine what students would and wouldn't be allowed to do in and around the facility. The Publicity and Marketing Committee promoted the teen center and its programs. The Fund-raising Committee was responsible for organizing and conducting events that raised money and sought donations to help subsidize the facility.

10 | Illinois Parks and Recreation

ST. CHARLES' HOMEWORK EARNS AN A+ FROM TEENS

"We really want it (a teen center) to be a dance place, a fun place, a safe environment and a place to get away." — from a survey completed by a St. Charles youth

Teamwork: How Each Partner Helped the Effort

• The St. Charles park board committed to help fund start-up expenses of $45,310 and annual operational expenses of $117,000 for the teen center. In addition, park district employees spent much time researching the success and failures of Chicagoland teen centers. The park district also hired two full-rime employees—a teen center director to oversee facility operations and a teen supervisor to assist the director and coordinate teen programming.

• The Henry Rockwell Baker Memorial Community Center board allowed for the renovation of the ground level of the Baker Community Center in downtown St. Charles. The Baker Community Center board has served St. Charles residents as a community center for the past 75 years, and the facility proved to be the best spot available.

• Representatives from Community Unit School District 303 assisted in the development of a Teen Center Handbook as well as helped the Logistics and Policies Committee establish several rules and regulations for the safety of facility users. Prohibited activities include smoking; tobacco chewing; gambling; consumption or possession of alcohol or drugs; use of weapons; abusive, loud or rowdy behavior; any acts prohibited by law; obscene gestures or inappropriate sexual behavior; fighting, rough or unsafe play; abuse of facilities or equipment; or gang activity. During the 2001-2002 school year, the school district hopes to offer bus transportation to the teen center.

• The Greater St. Charles Education Foundation contributed a $ 1,000 grant for the purpose of purchasing computers, software, and hardware.

• The St. Charles Youth Coalition asked St. Charles area students in grades six through twelve to put on their thinking caps for a "Name the Teen Center Contest." Entries were creative, unique, simple, catchy, and reflected the teen population of St. Charles. "STC Underground" was chosen from 25 entries.

• The Youth Coalition also asked area businesses and organizations to donate money or specific items to support this project. Items donated were tax-deductible, and the following have been donated to date:

• Playstation 2 and video games
• speakers for a sound system
• color printer
• 36-inch television with oak cabinet
• karaoke machine with compact discs
• stage construction (lumber, vinyl flooring and labor)
• $1,000 donation from the American Legion
• $5,000 from St. Charles Township

• The City of St. Charles' Youth Commission contributed $25,000 toward the operational cost of the facility and $3,900 for capital purchases.

• Park district staff took a busload of teens to IKEA to select the furniture, lighting fixtures, and other interior decorations.

• Parent and teen volunteers spent their spare time helping organize and set-up the building prior to its official opening.

A+ Grade: Teen Center Is a Success

A "Super Bowl Party" grand-opening celebration was planned for Sunday, Jan. 28, 2001. Doors opened at 3:00 p.m. with pregame festivities. This event was free to middle school and high school students in Community Unit School District 303. Participants enjoyed the half-time buffet donated by local businesses including Blue Goose Super Market, Quizno's, and Domino's Pizza. Some youth even stayed for the series debut of CBS's Survivor show. The first 100 teens who entered the facility received a chance to win gift certificates valued at $25 and $50 provided by the Charlestowne Mall. Prizes were awarded during each quarter of the game.

Since the success of the grand-opening celebration, teens regularly have attended STC Underground with an average of 600 visits per month. Upon opening, middle school students and high school students occupied the teen center at different times. In order to accommodate a large number of teens, staff decided to combine the age groups. Center hours are from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Fridays; and 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The facility is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Hours will be extended in the summer.

Teens can even e-mail the teen center director to receive free STC Underground updates and happenings as well as give input to the type of activities they would like. Future programming ideas include karaoke nights, movie nights, "open mike" nights, dances, video game tournaments and tutor nights. Local teen bands interested in performing at STC Underground on Saturday nights throughout the year can drop off demo tapes to the director.

Teens and volunteers have committed much time and effort in the planning of STC Underground. They have made it a unique place for teens to hang out, socialize, play board games, surf the Internet, watch TV, compete in video games, shoot pool, throw darts, play foosball or ping pong, do homework, have a snack, and much more. STC Underground is a success due to the community's volunteer efforts, especially the efforts of local teens. •

ERIKA SMITH
is the supervisor of marketing for the St. Charles Park District.

May/June 2001 | 11