Three creative teens help host the art room space, welcome visitors and offer tours during the Nov. 3 Teen Center Open House. Courtesy photo
Family YMCA CEO Linda Daly joins County Manager Harry Burgess on a tour of the Teen Center from one of the Teen Center’s Youth Mobilizers. Courtesy photoYMCA News:
The Los Alamos Teen Center held an Open House Nov. 3 in celebration of its one-year anniversary in the Community Building at 475 20th St.
Teens provided tours and demonstrations for community members, County Council members, the County Manager, YMCA Board members and others. The Y Staff provided updates on progress to date in providing programs, classes and mental and physical health-related activities for the teens.
“We are incredibly thankful for the investment Los Alamos County has made in the youth of our community, and we have been thrilled with the community’s response and support towards our ongoing programs that offer engaging and enriching opportunities for teens,” Teen Center Director Sylvan Argo said.
County Councilor Steven Girrens attended the Open House and said about the Teen Center, “Best investment the Council ever made.”
County Councilor Pete Sheehey said, ”I was very pleased to see how much use it’s getting. That’s exactly what we intended for that space. We’re very pleased with the overall direction provided by Sylvan and the staff provided by the Y.”
The Teen Center serves more than 1,200 youth annually, with more than 700 teens visiting on a regular basis. One teen, Tristan Lucero, visits regulary, and says, ”I’ve made multiple friends here from lots of different groups from the high school. I can talk to anyone here about anything – problems, or whatever. It’s open and friendly.”
The Family YMCA oversees the day-to-day administration of the Teen Center, and receives operational funding through a contract with Los Alamos County. It is free and open to youth attending Los Alamos High School and homeschoolers. Numerous partners and donors work with The Family YMCA to make teen programs possible.
The Teen Center includes a music recording studio, a music performance space, a movie/gaming room, two computer labs, an art studio, a yoga studio, a snack bar, classrooms, and an outdoor deck with views of Pajarito Mountains.
Kelson McCray, a local teen, visits the Teen Center almost every day. He said, “The Teen Center is a place to relax and get away from the worries that keep you up. You can leave the load at the door, so you don’t have to deal with it until you leave.”
The Teen Center offers numerous enrichment programs, activities, events, and trainings free to teens, in addition to youth-led projects with opportunities for teens to receive stipends.
Activities and programs include: Anime Club, Mural Painting, Music Recording and Production, Arts and Resiliency, Open Art Studio, Open Mic and Music Jam Nights, Kareoke, Film/Video Creation & Editing, Movie Nights, Fitness Team, Yoga, Art of Yoga, Youth Mobilizers, Global Teens, Youth Conservation Corps, Teen Council, Drop-In Counseling and Support Groups, Tutoring, Job Skills Training, Resume Editing and Support, 5th Quarter Gatherings, After-Homecoming/Prom Events, Boys/Girls Outdoor Leadership Development (BOLD/GOLD) and more.
As the Teen Center celebrates a year of successful programs in the new space, program planning for additional offerings as well as current program expansions are underway.
Individuals wanting to be a part of the ongoing conversation or who want to share ideas or support for teen programs, please contact Sylvan Argo, Los Alamos Teen Center Director, at sargo@laymca.org or call the Teen Center at 505.500.8073.
From left, YMCA CEO Linda Daly, County Councilor Pete Sheehey, YMCA Board member Erice Vasquez and a teen at the Nov. 3 open house event. Courtesy photo
Assistant Superintendent Diane Delgado tours the Teen Center with her daughter, Isabella Delgado, during the Open House on November 3, 2016. Courtesy photo
Y Board members Lou Santoro and Dick Martin get in touch with their youthful spirit and play ping pong with a couple of Los Alamos Teen Center members at the recent open house. Courtesy photo
Two resident teen musical artists and Youth Mobilizers host the Teen Center’s recording studio during the one-year anniversary Open House Nov. 3. These teen leaders offered demonstrations and answered questions regarding the equipment as well as highlighting the Teen Center’s performance space for community members touring the Teen Center. Courtesy photo