Teen Center important to local youth
In honor of our seventh annual Seesaw Marathon Fundraiser (Friday, Oct. 30, at 4 p.m. to Oct. 31 at 4 p.m.), I asked the teens at our Common Ground Teen Center to share their thoughts about their center. Please help keep our center going – you may donate at https://teenoutreach.org/see-saw-marathon.
In response to the question, “The Common Ground Teen Center matters to me because…” these teens responded (unedited):
Avery Allen (14): My friends are here and I can play whatever games I want.
Malekaih Cockreel (17): The Common Ground Teen Center matters to me because it is a place where I can express myself truly and discuss my issues
Moshe Dale (18): The Common Ground Teen Center is important because it offers peace of mind. It is a safe place for teens to go where they can be whatever they want safely. So many teens could be going out every night with no role models … at home or when they go out. The Center is fun, engaging, educational and FREE! Teens could do so many other things, but if they’re here, they’re good.
Greta Fulton (18): The Common Ground Teen Center matters to me because it helped me through some hard times and provided me and other teens a safe place to make new friends and not be judged for who you are, e.g. race, sexuality, gender, etc.
Bella R. Gaito (15): The Common Ground Teen Center matters to me because it’s a place I feel safe. They are really welcoming, we make food and play games. Everyone is so nice and welcoming. I haven’t had a time there when I wasn’t welcome. It’s like I have two families. I love everyone here.
Tina Glatfelter (17): The Teen Center brings me a sense of community, as well as introducing me to new people and places. The Teen Center is a place for all and makes me feel accepted and welcomed. There is also a good education program here and it helps those who are struggling in school and with homework. I find that lovely.
De’Veon Green (17): The Teen Center to me means I have a chill place to hang out and see my friends. It also gives me a job that I like to do. I get to have fun and do things like karaoke and cooking.
Ryan Hester (17): The Center matters to me because it helped me find, express, and embrace who I really am.
Isaiah L. Hollowood (15): The Teen Center lets me connect with other teens in the area and have fun while doing it.
Da’Shya Jackson (14): The Common Ground Teen Center matters to me because it is a safe, judge-free zone where everybody can be themselves and find out who they are as well as make new friends who aren’t from your school and who aren’t in your grade, plus get the chance to expand your taste in music, style and other things. Also, it matters to me because I can go there after a long day of school and decompress, do my homework with the free tutors and chill out. Lastly, it matters to me because it is free and for a lot of people, local or not, it is hard in this economy to be able to afford certain things.
Valyn Kennedy (13): I get to spend time with my friends at the Teen Center. I get to make new friends, and I have a safe place to go after school.
Colton Randolph (14): This place is like my second home and family.
Ele Sickman (17): The Center matters to me because it is a second home to me. I met so many friends here.
Haidyn Wade (15): The Teen Center is a place I can go to when I’m bored and want to go somewhere. The Teen Center has games that I like and people that I like.
Cecillia Wright (14): The Common Ground Teen Center matters to me because it is one of the few safe spaces left for teens in Washington and if it wasn’t here I wouldn’t have the support system I have today. I am incredibly grateful for it.
Myla Young (14): The Common Ground Teen Center matters to me because it is a safe space to chill and have fun and be myself.
Have a question? Send it to Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski’s email podmj@healthyteens.com.