BACK ALLEY YOUTH CENTER INFORMATION
(a non-profit not affiliated with the city organization)

email: backalleykids@yahoo.com

 It has come to the attention of the youth center board that the residents and who helped initially are puzzled as to the status of the youth center and need to know much more information before the project can be accepted and go forward, hopefully with the approval of those previously mentioned. I will try to explain how we started and where we are now.

The idea was to begin a youth center, however, when we went for looking for land everything was totally out of reach of our budget. We contacted people whom we considered to be leaders and who were interested in the welfare of our youth. The people contacted were willing to become board members and sit down and develop a set of by-laws and a rough sketch of rules and recreation for the youth.

Since we had no way of purchasing property and had no ready made building we approached the city which had just purchased the four buildings on Front Street just behind the Masonic Lodge. The City Council agreed to let us lease the smaller of the two buildings facing Front Street. With the assistance of several volunteers the inside of the building was gutted in preparation. However, after getting an estimate of what it would take to renovate the building, not to mention the lack of any parking area or any space for outside recreation, it was decided to try another avenue.

Upon searching for another spot and contacting businesses in the local area we found that a new building would be just as expensive as renovating. We again notified the City Council and asked if it was possible to lease a piece of land from the city. The lawyer said a lease was possible so we chose the piece of property beside the library where we are planning to erect a 50 foot by 100 foot building.

Somehow we feel that everyone has the idea that since the building is going up on city property that it is a city project, however this is not true. WE ARE A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION and depend on donations and grants. We have several projects going on right now and we thank those who have been so generous; but need everyone’s help to make this project a success. If you can help we appreciate it. We know times are rough but we do have an account set up at the bank if there is any way you can assist. So once more we thank you in advance for helping to make this dream for our youth, a reality.

Pinnacle Structures has been gracious to us and donated a building and Precision Plumbing has donated their time and materials for the building. We do still however, need funds to complete the many other facets of the project and with everyone’s help we’ll “GIT ER DONE”