Brunswick Teen Center At People Plus
The mission of the Brunswick Teen Center is to provide a safe environment for young people to explore creative outlets, utilize their talents, and create a well-rounded generation of youth.
Description:
Since the Teen Center opened in June of 2005, the Teen Center has served 325+ students from the Brunswick Junior High and High schools as well as the private St. John’s Catholic School. The average daily attendance is 10-29 teens, ranging in ages from 11-18. For Summer '09 The Teen Center Will Be Open from 1-4 Monday-Thursday afternoon.
Daily Activities available at the Brunswick Teen Center
The BTC has a multitude of daily activities: two pool tables, two ping pong tables,a computer lab with four computers and printing capabilities, foosball table, air hockey table, movie library (age appropriate), board games and card games, five video gaming systems with age appropriate games, arts and craft activities are available, trivia games and challenges, and Bowdoin mentors for homework assistance as well as daily volunteers to help provide mentoring for age-appropriate social skill development.
The BTC also provides snacks for a minimal fee as the teens often come to the center straight from school. Thanks to the Brunswick School Department, the teens are able to take buses from both BHS and BJHS to the teen center during the school year, thus helping to keep the teens safer during the transition period.
History:
The history of the BTC started in 2004 when a group of concerned citizens met with town officials to begin discussing the need for teen programs and activity space in Brunswick. As a result of those meetings it was identified that Brunswick has long needed a place for teens to safely gather. Those teens not actively engaged in after school activities are forced to meet in one another’s homes or on the street. These teens are motivated but simply have no programs or activities that interest them on which to focus their energy.
In the spring of 2004 volunteer participants on an interim Board of Directors began meeting twice a month to plan for the BTC. The Board of Trustees of People Plus, the local senior center, voted unanimously to serve as a sponsor to the BTC, by renting space and providing financial management on the BTC’s behalf. Teens have been very active in all aspects of the BTC’s evolution. During the summer and into the fall of 2004 teens cleaned and painted the new space, raised money, and advocated for the center in various group meetings around town. In the spring of 2005 an interim teen advisory board began the work of drafting rules and developing program ideas. Without this assistance and input from the teens, the BTC would still be a dream. In order to ensure the teens continue to have a strong voice, the bi-laws of the BTC require that one teen serves as a standing member on the Board of Directors. The center opened in June of 2005 one afternoon per week for a total of 3 hours. Since 2005, the BTC has been successful in increasing its hours to 12- 14 hours/week, and raising funds to hire a part-time Coordinator. The BTC currently participates in intergenerational activities with the members of People Plus. Bowdoin College students are also supporting the center through a volunteer/mentoring program. To further promote community outreach, in January of 2008 the BTC provided a free seminar to parents, teens, teachers and the general public on the dangers of the internet. This fall the BTC was pleased to host a free SAT/ ACT preparatory class for 46 teens. (92% of the slots available) This free program provided a total of 9 hours of instruction, as well as 1.5 hours of guest speakers on the challenges of college admissions, tips on financial aid, and how best to select the right college. This program was made possible though a Common Good Grant from Bowdoin College, and collaboration with People Plus and MainePrep. (a Brunswick company)
Contact people:
Office fax number: (207) 729-0672
Address:
Web Site: http://www.peopleplusmaine.org/btc.aspx
Directions:
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On the corner of Maine Street and Noble Street in Brunswick, across from Bowdoin College and the First Parish Church. We are located in the basement of the former St. Charles Church (small brown converted church at People Plus) |
| Last updated on June 23, 2009 |
