MONROE - A gathering of organizations Thursday at the Monroe United Methodist Church was the fourth in a series of brainstorm sessions geared toward providing middle school students with a variety of activities outside of school.
The group that met over lunch included representatives from the Green County Leaders, Green County Family YMCA, Monroe UMC, Green Haven Family Advocates, Hope Evangelical Free Church and Monroe Bible Church. They discussed the possibility of a youth center free to any children with a space for young people to spend time together without a specific focus on sports or academics.
There are also plans to establish a website to include all local youth activities, regardless of which group is hosting them. It would be an easily accessible schedule to eliminate the need to check several websites.
Monroe UMC Christian Education Director Chandra Deprez was hopeful about the plans after receiving feedback from the public since the first meeting in June.
"We reached out to the community and seem to be getting a good response," Deprez said.
Former director Jen Carter agreed.
"Why wouldn't we be talking to each other?" Carter asked, referring to other Monroe-based organizations looking to improve the community. "A lot of kids are over-scheduled, and others have nothing to do, so we're trying to create that balance."
Rick Gleason said the five Green County Leaders for this year have dedicated their time to finding a location for that exact use.
"We're excited to keep exploring," Gleason said.
While a youth center would be ideal, Gleason said it will still take some work to find an affordable location accessible to everyone regardless of physical ability. Some discussion included the possibility of designating the center as a nonprofit group, which would help organizers gain funds. That way, Gleason and UMC Pastor Randy Booth said, there is a chance a manager could be hired full-time, which would ensure there is someone present each day. Any other staff would be volunteers.
While there are places for middle schoolers to go after school, such as the Monroe Public Library or programs through the Monroe Parks and Recreation Department, there could always be more options, the group noted. And registration for city programs "is not free," Gleason added.
Booth said a survey is being created, which the Monroe school district agreed to disperse to each student during homeroom once it is completed. The group hopes to meet with teachers to gain more ideas as well, he added.
The group is not faith-based, despite the involvement of a number of local churches. There is not a specific leader either, Deprez and Carter said. While the first meetings were hosted by Monroe UMC, they hope other organizations will take initiative in different ways.
The 12 attendees also discussed their hope of removing negative influences for young people through engagement in a safe, fun environment that is less structured, and therefore less stressful, than school.
"I guess we're going to become that village that it takes to raise a child," Booth said.
The group that met over lunch included representatives from the Green County Leaders, Green County Family YMCA, Monroe UMC, Green Haven Family Advocates, Hope Evangelical Free Church and Monroe Bible Church. They discussed the possibility of a youth center free to any children with a space for young people to spend time together without a specific focus on sports or academics.
There are also plans to establish a website to include all local youth activities, regardless of which group is hosting them. It would be an easily accessible schedule to eliminate the need to check several websites.
Monroe UMC Christian Education Director Chandra Deprez was hopeful about the plans after receiving feedback from the public since the first meeting in June.
"We reached out to the community and seem to be getting a good response," Deprez said.
Former director Jen Carter agreed.
"Why wouldn't we be talking to each other?" Carter asked, referring to other Monroe-based organizations looking to improve the community. "A lot of kids are over-scheduled, and others have nothing to do, so we're trying to create that balance."
Rick Gleason said the five Green County Leaders for this year have dedicated their time to finding a location for that exact use.
"We're excited to keep exploring," Gleason said.
While a youth center would be ideal, Gleason said it will still take some work to find an affordable location accessible to everyone regardless of physical ability. Some discussion included the possibility of designating the center as a nonprofit group, which would help organizers gain funds. That way, Gleason and UMC Pastor Randy Booth said, there is a chance a manager could be hired full-time, which would ensure there is someone present each day. Any other staff would be volunteers.
While there are places for middle schoolers to go after school, such as the Monroe Public Library or programs through the Monroe Parks and Recreation Department, there could always be more options, the group noted. And registration for city programs "is not free," Gleason added.
Booth said a survey is being created, which the Monroe school district agreed to disperse to each student during homeroom once it is completed. The group hopes to meet with teachers to gain more ideas as well, he added.
The group is not faith-based, despite the involvement of a number of local churches. There is not a specific leader either, Deprez and Carter said. While the first meetings were hosted by Monroe UMC, they hope other organizations will take initiative in different ways.
The 12 attendees also discussed their hope of removing negative influences for young people through engagement in a safe, fun environment that is less structured, and therefore less stressful, than school.
"I guess we're going to become that village that it takes to raise a child," Booth said.