AGENDA #4a

BUDGET WORKING PAPER

TO:                  W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

FROM:            Kathryn Spatz, Parks and Recreation Director

SUBJECT:       After School Program at the Street Scene Center         

DATE:             April 3, 2002

This memorandum is in response to a Council member’s question concerning the current operation of the After School Program at Street Scene Teen center operated by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Street Scene is a teen center located on Franklin Street, in the basement of the Post Office.  The Parks and Recreation Department operates a program during the school year, Monday – Friday, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and a summer drop-in program Monday – Friday, from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m. The program serves community youth, ages 12 to 18.

Currently, the After School Program averages about 25 teens per day. About half of the teens who attend the center are regulars with the other half being teens who participate on a more sporadic basis.

We believe that a large percentage of the teens that the After School Program attracts are what many would term at-risk. More than half of the participants in our program are economically and/or socially disadvantaged. We do not believe that most of these youth participate in extra-curricular school or any other organized activities. The After School Program is designed to provide a safe, challenging, fun, and supportive site. In short, for teens that might not have any other place, it is a place to fit in. Our program is unique in our focus on arts, crafts, music, creativity, acceptance, and diversity.  We are not aware of any other program like the After School and Street Scene programs in and around our area.

The Street Scene Teen Center is a walk-in program, which means teens can engage our programs and facilities at their choice. On-going activities include:

• Computer Lab and Tutoring Services
• Music Studio with House Music Equipment that is available to all teens.
• Recording studio (just for teens) where teens can record and produce CD’s.   (To be completed before the summer of 2003.)
• Art Room – A room at the Teen Center dedicated to being drawn, painted and colored upon with teen’s art, prose, and/or poetry.
• Many different coordinated activities to promote teen awareness throughout our community.

In the 2003-04 school year, special events have included:

Pool Tournament

Trips to the State Fair

Orange County Rape Crisis Center

Chapel Hill Fire Department

Planned Parenthood

Girls Group

Band Practices

Teen Surveys

Art Show

Bowling Trip

Apple Chill Booth

Website Development

Bands, Bands, Bands

Spades and Chicken Wings Tournament

Movie Night

Write and Editorial

Letters to the Editor

Pizza Party

Bake Sale

Fried Chicken Friday

80's Dance

Book Club

Video Game Tournaments

Homework Tutoring

Debates

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Computer Training

Yard Sale

Poem Contest

Writing Contests

Design a T-shirt Contest

Free Hair Wraps (Festifall)

Puzzle Day

Friendship Bracelet Making

Free Paint