How to Start a Youth Center

You've got an idea, a vision...but what are the important beginning steps you must consider when opening a Youth Center or another project? Here's a list of questions (not a complete set); but it'll get you brainstorming about what lays ahead of you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A passion for what you're undertaking.
• A network of friends and supporters.
• Hard work.
• see www.tlcyouthservices.net for more

1. 
    

   Define your Purpose.
   * 1) Learn, research what others are doing successfully. Remember that what works well in one location may not work for you.
   * 2) What is the real purpose of your center? What will be that motivating factor that energizes you and helps you persevere through everything....
   * 3) the right location and building
   * 4) establish solid reasoning "why" you want to exist, get detailed crime stats, at-risk behavior indicators, etc.
   * 5) the right person heading up the project

2. 
    

   PROGRAMS. What programs will you offer?
   * AWANA crosstrainers (may have to go through a church)
   * new scout units
   * 4-H clubs
   * homemakers group
   * career readiness
   * financial budgeting
   * resource center for community agency brochures (don't duplicate what's being done - form partnerships/referral service)
   * jump rope team
   * math team
   * science/technology teams
   * community action
   * choir
   * basic home skills
   * community resources and referrals
   * clothes, food
   * financial assistance
   * life skills (Channing Bete is the company I use most)
   * forming a youth team
   * points & awards
   * games (arcade, computer, sports, etc.)
   * craft supplies
   * after school (bus drop off, parent permission, math homework, etc.)
   * free food
   * Summer all day long operations
   * Friday/Saturday night hours?
   * Alpha Omega homeschool math workbooks (find sponsors, tutors, etc)
   http://www.aop.com/lifepac/Subjects_Math.php

3. Establish Effective COMMUNITY/PUBLIC RELATIONS.
   * effective partnerships - not just partnerships, but effective; there's a big difference!
   * intro information brochure
   * web site
   * info DVD, powerpoint
   * media listing, appropriate contact person
   * news releases
   * attending public meetings
   -civic clubs
   -community groups
   -neighborhood groups
   -Chamber of Commerce, Crime Prevention, Coalitions, etc.
   *Create mailing list of interested people/agencies and those who need to keep informed about the project.
   * Schools - identify members for a youth team that will help get the word out.

4. FUNDING.
   * identify local charity giving groups
   * get the word out with your detail listing of needs
   * find sponsors for various projects
   * find grant writers
   * consider United Way process?
   * get commitment from neighborhood churches?

5. ADMINISTRATION.
   * day-to-day operations
   * the barriers to overcome
   * youth behavior standards/guidelines
   * insurance
   * will it be "faith-based"? boys/girls club? Big Sisters/Big Brothers?
   * city/county codes
   * developing a volunteer staff
   * paid staff
   * estimated monthly budget
   * Board of Directors, responsibilities, guidance
   * Community advisory board, responsibilities, etc.
   * forming 501(c)3, non-profit recognition
   * accounting/finance person
   * get Memorandum of Understanding when partnering with any agency to list details, assume nothing
   * background checks for volunteers, workers?

Tips & Warnings

• get youth involved in all the details, including board meetings
• if there is another organization in your city, expect fear/rejection from them. One city with over 2,000 youth has one youth center. When another person stated an interest in opening another youth center, the original place became livid about "competition", etc.
• if this was an easy process, we'd have neighborhood centers in every community; but we don't. So persevere.

[jmcgeough]

on 7/30/2009 Truly excellent article. Thanks

[smartfix]

on 7/28/2009 Great tips, 5*

[hoosierman144]

on 7/27/2009 Thanks for the great ideas, i hope to put them to use one day. 5* & Rec.

[YouthServices]

on 7/1/2009 I had a group of youth in Arlington, TX on Tuesday and did the Rear View Mirror workshop...it never ceases to amaze me how this one visual tool and lesson worksheet does to help the youth start dealing with past stuff. Pass the info along! See my website for more items.

[sunnyglitter]

on 7/1/2009 I've always dreamed of doing something like this one day. I probably won't, but thanks for sharing these tips. They will make this goal seem attainable by others in the same boat. 5* and a rec!