Submitted by Shane Carman, Geneseo
Last spring, a vision was born. This vision was first a small idea but has grown into so much more than just a vision.
In May 2009, I began to research how my school (Geneseo Central) could offer more clubs and activities to the students at the school.
When I had difficulty finding or creating the clubs that I was interested in, I began searching for activities outside of school.
After further discussion with various community members, I decided to investigate the idea of a youth center.
It seems like there is such a need in our area. With all of the underage drinking and drug abuse going on, it seems that our area could use additional activities for youth that will give them alternatives in their lives.
Many existing youth centers across the state and country were then researched to discover what programs can be provided, how a center is operated, and how youth centers can benefit youth and the community overall.
At first, I planned on offering a youth center exclusively for the Village of Geneseo. I began to realize how a center would be more sustainable if it were to serve youth from all over the county as opposed to a small village.
That is when the Livingston Youth Center project was born. I began to determine that a countywide youth center could have greater resources, serve more youth, and offer a greater number of services and activities.
I began to brainstorm activities that the center could offer. A sampling of what programs and services the center could offer includes: clubs, classes, games, trips, community service and countless other programs.
Many of the center’s proposed activities have been recommended by area youth, parents and community leaders. The Livingston County Youth Bureau was then approached to help with further developing the project.
Together, the youth bureau, their teen group EDIFY, and the Genesee Valley Health Partnership have helped to move the project further along. Also in conjunction with the Genesee Valley Health Partnership and EDIFY, a community mapping project is underway to determine what activities are currently available in our county and what activities are lacking.
The project will also help to implement programs at the youth center and to ensure the center does not duplicate existing programs.
A survey is underway to determine what parents and youth would expect to be provided at a youth center.
Over this summer, I determined that I needed more education on how a nonprofit is operated. I decided to apply to the Young Entrepreneurs Academy at SUNY Geneseo. I was accepted at the academy and have been taking a weekly class since October.
In this class, I am developing a business plan, filing a DBA, and learning the necessary skills to operate the youth center. This class will be a great asset to opening the youth center. Now I need your help.
In order for the center to be a reality, it needs the communities support. Within the next month, a committee will be established that will plan the startup of the center, obtain funding, find a facility location, hire staff, and plan for the center’s future.
If you would like to help out with the project in any way, including serving on a committee, please contact me by email at rv4lif@aim.com or by phone at 585-245-9895. Youth are also encouraged to help with the committee.