Agency Details:

Our Mission is: To empower our community by nurturing youth directed and adult mentored initiatives.

Our Vision is: Youth take an active role in shaping our community.

Description:
We focus on three strategic initiatives:

to provide healthy alternative activities
to profile youth in positive leadership roles
to provide job readiness training

Three years ago we opened the Hot Shots Paintball Park that is youth led and operated. Revenue generated from sales of group play offsets the cost to local youth players. Volunteer support from adults is needed to guide the youth leadership of this project.

We are now working jointly with the Borough to develop a a covered skateboard park in Ketchikan. KYI is seeking feedback from skateboarders and the community about the design of the field and support for use of Borough land and construction support once approved.

A larger, long-term project is to secure ownership of the Old Water Warehouse at 632 Park Avenue from the City. The purpose is to redevelop that historic building into a Community Center serving youth and all ages--a safe place to hang out with vital youth-run services. Significant labor is needed to improve the foundation of this 100-yr old building; the remainder of the building is in good condition. Funding is needed for the capital improvements. We are seeking entrepreneurial businesses and rentals to support the operating costs once the building is open.

A Youth to Work Job Readiness Training program is ready to relaunch when administrative support is in place. This program coordinates with the Department of Labor and the Chamber of Commerce to provide mentoring and work experience opportunities to youth and young adults seeking successful entry into the work world.

Fun-filled events and community service activities, both fund-raising and other, are under work at all times to actively engage our youth in meaningful activities that provide leadership training and enrich their life skills experience.

Contact people:

Roberta McCreary, Administrative Manager, (phone), (email)
Tyrell Rettke, President, (phone), (email)
Denise Whitton, Secretary, (phone), (email)

Address:

724 Bayview St
Ketchikan, AK 99901
(See a map)

Web Site: None specified

Directions:

Above Hopkins Alley

Miscellaneous Information

In what communities is your agency involved?

Ketchikan

Last updated on May 30, 2009

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