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Canku Ota |
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(Many Paths) |
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An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America |
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November 2, 2002 - Issue 73 |
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New "Teen Center" in North Rapid |
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by Dottie Potter Lakota
Journal Staff Writer
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RAPID
CITY, SD There's a new place to go and things to do for middle
school students in Rapid Cityespecially those who live on the
north side. Chad Catron, Associate Outreach Director of
the YMCA in Rapid City, has started a new program that gives the 6th,
7th and 8th grade youth a fun alternative for after school activities. He and Shawn Hayford, Outreach Director, developed
the idea for the YMCA "Teen Center" that's located at 1314
North Maple Street, directly across the street from the North Middle
School. "We looked for several months trying
to find a place and the Bethel Assembly of God heard about it and let
us use their basement," Catron said. "They were absolutely
incredible in helping us." He said they opened the center in early May
of this year and that they've had kids there from day one. "It
was slower this summer, but now that school has started again, we continue
to have more kids come and I expect it to keep growing." Catron said they have a Saturday night program
they call "Midnight Alternative" at the main YMCA building
downtown that's for youth 12 to 18 years old. It runs from 8:00 p.m.
to Midnight. They had such a good response that he wanted to get something
started for the youth in North Rapid. "The Saturday night Alternative'
is for all the youth, but we wanted something that would be in the neighborhood
for the kids on the North side," Catron said. The "Teen Center" is open from 3:00
p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. They offer a variety of activities
for the kids. There's a pool table, carpet ball, ping pong, air hockey,
two complete computers with Internet access and a sound board with speakers
that allows for break dancing. "I enjoy working with youth and I love
the challenge they can give me," Catron said with a laugh. He said that for the most part, discipline
is not a problem. "My philosophy on discipline is that if you're
out there with the kids, then discipline takes care of itself." Snacks are available at the "Teen Center"
with one free snack given to each child, and additional items, such
as candy bars, chips, fruit and juice can be purchased for a small charge. There is no charge at the "Teen Center"
for members of the YMCA and non-members can purchase a punch card for
$2.00 that can be used for any 10-day space of time. "They can bring a friend if they want
to and use the one punch card. It figures out to be .20 cents a day,"
Catron said. He explained that the YMCA does a campaign
in the schools each year where teachers can help them determine students
from low-income families who can't afford the membership fee, which
is $63.00 a year. A scholarship can then be offered to the student so
there is no charge to them. Catron said that local organizations, businesses
and individuals all contribute to the scholarship fund that enables
youth who are interested in a membership to have the opportunity to
enjoy what the YMCA offers. For the "Alternative Midnight" program
on Saturday nights at the main YMCA, there is a $3.00 charge for non-members
and $1.00 for members with a "Y" card. "They get to take part in everything
and we feed them for that amount. We usually have pizza for them,"
Catron said. He added, "We're not in this to make
money, but to give the kids ownership and to get them involved in something." They do have an Outreach Program budget. Catron
said that they plan to apply for grants in the spring, but for the present
time, they are managing to get by with the funding they have. He said that 95 percent of the youth who use
the center are Native American and that there is a good mix of boys
and girls. "It's been great to watch the kids open
up to other kids and help them out when they need to," Catron said. He added that parents have called or stopped
by to check out the facility and find out more about their program and
how their kids can get involved. "Word of mouth is the best way to spread
that news about what we have. We did do a mass mailing to every student
at North Middle School and Paula Long Fox there has been just great
help. She's used the PA system to make announcements for us and to let
the kids know that we're here," Catron said. Some of the youth come and do community service
hours that have been mandated by the court. He said they currently have
three young students doing certain chores in the center, but they also
get to participate in the activities. They are exposed to alternative
activities and a way their time can be used, other than for getting
in trouble. "It's great for themthey get to
interact with the other kids while there and it's more than just cleaning
and other jobs," Catron said. Catron was born and raised in Montana and
attended college in Kansas where he studied psychology for one year.
He had some friends in the Rapid City area, came here, liked it and
stayed. He's been working at the YMCA for two years. During that time he has supervised the "Wellness Center and Weight Room," but he wanted to get more directly involved with youth. In addition to his work at the main downtown
YMCA, Catron runs the new YMCA "Teen Center" with help from
one part-time staff member, Leslie Zimiga. Zimiga is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe
and from Pine Ridge. She said that her work with the young students
is interesting and she plans to start college at OLC in another semester. One of the next things that Catron plans to
add as part of the program at the "Teen Center" is a Sioux
pottery class for any of the kids who are interested in it. He's in
the process of trying to find someone who will teach the class and hopes
to start offering it in the next month. "We're looking to grow with this and
the sky is the limit," Catron said with excitement. For more information about the "Teen Center" in North Rapid City, contact Chad Catron at 718-9622 or 431-0993.
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