In a recent issue of the Sun, a local couple was quoted in Streetwise as stating that there is nothing for our children to do in Santa Maria (Aug. 21). It was further stated that there is a lack of opportunities and facilities for youth.
The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, along with our collaborative partners, provides programs for youth ages 5 to 17. The Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center serves as a hub for the delivery of services for local youth and families. In fact, our commitment to youth recently resulted in a change in the way we offer our programs. Understanding that our destiny is shaped by today’s children, the city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department has developed a Continuum of Recreation and Enrichment Services (also known as REmix) for local youth. The REmix concept recognizes our responsibility in cultivating our youths’ development associated with cognitive, social, and emotional skills through recreation and enrichment programs. Perhaps the best way to understand our “REmix” commitment is to share a glimpse of our 2014 summer program results.
Summer 2014 programs included eight weeks of traditional summer day camp for local families. After a week, the camp was at capacity with 70 children. As a result, parents were asking to put their children on wait lists. Based on this increased community need, a second day camp was opened at Grogan Park, which allowed for an additional 65 children to attend.
The REmix programs at the Youth Center included teen money management, fitness classes, cooking, sewing camp, and drum camp. Class attendance exceeded our expectations, and no classes were canceled. Our new Teen V.I.S.A. program (Teen Volunteers in Service Activities) contributed more than 500 services hours to city and community events this summer. A summer Youth Center dance drew more than 300 attendees. In order to extend opportunities for families to enjoy their time together, eight weekly “Stay and Play” Family Fun Nights at local parks occurred. Oakley Park’s Safe and Strong All Summer Long Program welcomed an average of 30 children per day. The children at the program benefited from a brand new playground that was installed by our Parks Division last spring. The Food Bank and Community Action Commission provided approximately 500 free lunches for these children Monday through Friday all summer long in five of our parks and facilities. In addition, the community benefits from 27 parks, including Los Flores Ranch Park with more than 1,800 acres of passive outdoor space. Grant funding has resulted in free monthly Nature Play Days and also funds-free transportation to and from the site.
Local agencies collaborate in many ways. Recreation and Parks played host to a collaborative meeting with our friends at the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club to discuss how to work together to better serve the youth of the community. These organizations and others like them also provide a plethora of opportunities for our children. Perhaps you can help shape a child’s future by becoming a part of our mentoring program or by volunteering in one of the many youth-serving organizations.
For more information, contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 925-0951, Ext. 260.
Teresa Reyburn is recreation services manager for the city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department. Send comments to the executive editor at rmiller@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 18-25, 2014.