With more than 930 students involved, the Lompoc Family YMCA’s Teen Activity Program continues to grow and aims to provide a safe space for local teens to explore passions, build confidence, and prepare for the future.
The Lompoc Family YMCA offers services like gym memberships, child care, and youth sports leagues. Nearly two years ago, it launched the Teen Activity Program through a partnership with the Lompoc Unified School District, allowing district-enrolled middle and high school students to access facility benefits and a variety of educational programs for free.
According to Community Programs Director Orion Welch, the Teen Activity Program focuses on the inclusivity and empowerment of local teens.
“The main goal for the program is to allow them to be themselves and allow them to explore who they are as individuals,” he said. “We try to give them the best mentorship and guidance that we can while encouraging them to continue to embrace who they are as people.”
In addition to offering a dedicated place for students, Welch noted how the program gives students the ability to participate in educational activities facilitated by local businesses. These vendors teach a variety of skills ranging from building a résumé to tending a garden.
“We have two separate rooms,” Welch said. “One is just the teen center within the program. The other one is a maker space. The maker space is where they are able to do cooking classes and art classes and have that space to just really let their creativity flourish.”
The program also focuses on helping students build confidence in pursuing their goals, whether that means attending college or entering the workforce after graduation. By offering mentorship and resources, Welch explained, the program ensures that students feel supported to explore their passions and plan their futures.
“What we have seen is a lot of kids tend to second-guess themselves getting into secondary education, and so we try to reinforce to them that it’s OK to be nervous—but you don’t have to do this by yourself,” Welch said. “On the flip side of that is also recognizing that some people might be interested in going into trade schools and learning a skill set while trying to get their education.”
For Welch, the most rewarding aspect of working with the teens in the program is creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable and safe enough to embrace their individuality.
“Nobody’s perfect,” Welch said. “I think that’s the one thing that we want to impress upon these kids: You don’t have to be perfect to be yourself, and we want you here.”
In order to join the program, Membership Coordinator Cristina Herrera explained that all students need to do is fill out a form with a parent or guardian. She believes the program benefits local teens because it allows them to expand their knowledge outside of a classroom environment where they earn grades for every assignment.
“I think it’s great for them to come in and enjoy learning new things, something that isn’t really offered anywhere else,” Herrera said.
She emphasized that there are opportunities for people who aren’t part of the Lompoc Unified School District to get involved in Lompoc Family YMCA activities and programs. She noted that while memberships typically cost $35 a month, the center offers scholarships for those who find the cost prohibitive.
“[The scholarships] are important for us, because we want everybody to feel included,” Herrera said. “We want everybody to have a safe space, and not just a safe space, but somewhere that they can go and enjoy themselves for like an hour or two hours.”
On Feb. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m., the Lompoc Family YMCA will host a Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce mixer, welcoming all community members to learn about the YMCA’s programs and services. As part of this event, they will also celebrate the grand opening of the Teen Activity Program.
The Lompoc Family YMCA is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To learn more, visit ciymca.org/locations/lompoc-family-ymca.
Highlight
• The Lompoc Public Library invites local collectors to submit and showcase their collections at its Lompoc and Vandenberg Village branches. The library display cases provide a space for the public to enjoy a variety of unique displays, including historical photographs, breastfeeding resources, and Lego set collections. This opportunity is open to all community members. For more information, visit cityoflompoc.com/government/departments/library/policies.
Staff Writer Emma Montalbano can be reached at emontalbano@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Jan 16-26, 2025.
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