- What are we trying to do?
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We want to have a safe place for every middle school student in Dane County to go to after school (approximately 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.). We call these places Youth Resource Centers (YRCs). It is important to note that a YRC can be located in an existing facility, such as a community center, a church basement or a school. Some centers are in their own building. Some communities may want to have more than one facility to assure easy access by all youth. It is really up to the community.
- Why for that time and why that target population?
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The hours after school are the times when youth are most likely to engage in risky, dangerous or self-destructive behaviors. The middle school years are the “in between” years, when youth are often thought of as too old to need baby sitting but too young to get a job, drive a car or participate in the many after school activities available to high school students. Also, at around the age of 12 youth become exposed to more alcohol and other drugs than at younger ages.
- How many YRCs are “enough”?
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We hope to have one in at least every middle school attendance area in Dane County. That would be approximately 25. As stated above, our goal is to have a center that is easily accessible (by car, by bus, by bike or within walking distance). Dividing the county into middle school attendance areas seems to accomplish this goal most of the time.
- What are the essential elements of a YRC?
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Each center looks different, depending on the interests and needs of the youth and the resources available. However, a fully operational center would likely include many of the following opportunities:
- Study areas and educational tutoring
- Special interest clubs
- Social and recreational activities (e.g., dances, lock-ins, safe night)
- Volunteering to help with community projects, fund raising
- Sports, games, field trips
- Leadership training programs
- Mini-courses (e.g., computers, bike repair, driver's education)
- Pre-employment clinics, job finding and job shadowing activities
- Peer counseling
- Mentoring programs
- Discussion groups (e.g., problem solving, conflict mediation)
- A place for peers and friends to talk (and just “hang out”)
- How much does it cost to run a YRC?
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The bare bones “just keeping the doors open” cost for a YRC is around $20,000. It takes at least $30,000 to provide some programming.
- How should a YRC be funded?
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There is no “best” way to fund YRCs. However, it appears that one promising strategy is to create public-private partnerships and to offer incentive grants in the range of $10,000 to local communities, contingent on a dollar for dollar match, to start and maintain YRCs. These incentive matching grants will probably be needed for several years.