5 hours Ago By Liz Rogers
Teens share gratitude for Teen Center, community Last week, the teens at our Common Ground Teen Center held their monthly Teen Executive Board meeting. The center is staffed by teens and our alumni supervisor, Landan Weakland. The executive board plans activities and monitors our guidelines of respect, power of words, holding space, do no harm, confidentiality and listen to hear.
We recently completed our annual 24-hour Seesaw Marathon, and we reached our goal with the help of our community. Nearly 100 teens kept the seesaw going from 4 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 11, ,to 4 p.m.
the next day. Our conversation circled to gratitude. We are grateful to our generous donors, to the teens who participated and their parents/families, and to Amy Podgurski Gough, who created this fundraiser five years ago.
To say a personal thank you to our community, teens wrote responses to two questions: What do you like about the center? What would you do if the center did not exist? Aujalae-Yanti, age 17: One thing I like about the center is the opportunity to meet new people and socialize with others. If the center wasn’t a thing, I think I wouldn’t have a social life, and my mental health would have worsened. Benjamin, 17: What I like most about the center is finding people to connect with.
Without it, I’d be lacking a social life. Car’Liyah, 17: I love the center’s welcoming environment, it makes me feel relaxed. If I didn’t have the center, I’d still be shy and introverted.
CJ, 17: What I like about the Teen Center is that it is a safe place for teens to go to and relax and have fun playing video games, drawing and more. I would probably be home sleeping or watching boring videos on my phone. Ele, 15: 1 like the center because it is a welcoming, warm place.
If the center wasn’t here, I probably wouldn’t have as many friends as I have today because I meet so many new people here. Emily, 13: My favorite thing about the center is the Art Room and the activities you provide. If the center was not a thing, I probably would be bored and would not have any of my creations (art).
Isaiah, 18: The Teen Center creates a safe space for teens, and I have met and made a lot of friends. I have worked there for almost 3 years, and everyone has been amazing. Liv, 12: I like the Teen Center because it is a safe place for many young people.
I’d be very upset if it wasn’t there, and I wouldn’t have a safe place. Myla, 13: I like the Teen Center because it is a place of respect and communication. I wouldn’t be anything.
William, 16: I like this place because I can communicate with others, and I can play Xbox and just have fun with y’all!!! Without the center I would be stuck at home. Age 15: I like the people and the staff. I don’t know what I would do without the center.
Age 15: I enjoy having authority at the center. I feel heard being a leader. I’d be very bored without my friends there.
Age 16: I like the Teen Center because I feel safe here and the people are actually nice. I feel like I belong. Without the center I would cry.
The Common Ground Teen Center is located at 92 N. Main St. in Washington and is open from 4 to 8 p.
m. most Mondays through Fridays. Email Dr.
Mary Jo with questions. Have a question? Send it to Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski’s email podmj@healthyteens.
com..
