NCJ Number
67932
Date Published
1975
Length
42 pages
Annotation
THE GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF TEEN CENTERS ARE DEVELOPED BASED ON 50 CENTERS EVALUATED BY THE NEW YORK STATE DIVISION FOR YOUTH.
Abstract
TEEN CENTERS HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY, AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO UNDESIRABLE YOUTH ACTIVITIES, AND AS A PLACE FOR TEENAGERS TO DEVELOP INTERESTS AND POSITIVE VALUES. A SUCCESSFUL CENTER GIVES TEENAGERS RESPONSIBILITY BY JOINT ADULT-YOUTH PLANNING OF POLICY AND ACTIVITIES. THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CENTER SHOULD BE CHOSEN ON THE BASIS OF THE ABILITY, AND NOT SOCIAL STATUS. A PAID ADULT LEADER CAN PROVIDE CONTINUITY, AND VOLUNTEER SERVICES CAN BE USED FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. TEENAGERS SHOULD NOT BE BURDENED WITH RAISING THE FUNDS FOR THE ENTIRE OPERATION OF THE CENTER, HOWEVER, BUT COULD RAISE FUNDS FOR SPECIAL ITEMS, SUCH AS PARTY REFRESHMENTS. THE CENTER FACILITY SHOULD BE LOCATED IN THE AREA EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE YOUTHS, AND AWAY FROM SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS AS BARS. THE BASIC MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE DONE BY THE HIRED JANITORS, BUT THE FACILITY SHOULD BE DECORATED BY THE MEMBERS. THE PROGRAM ITSELF SHOULD BE DETAILED AND VARIED ENOUGH TO ATTRACT THE LARGEST POSSIBLE NUMBER OF TEENAGERS IN THE COMMUNITY. MANY ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE MAIN FACILITY, SUCH AS TRIPS AND COOKOUTS, ARE VERY POPULAR. FOR THE SAME REASON, THE PROGRAM SHOULD BE WIDELY ADVERTISED IN THE COMMUNITY. THE REGULATIONS OF THE CENTER VARY WITH THE COMMUNITIES, BUT THEY SHOULD BE DEVELOPED BY THE MEMBERS, AND THE YOUTH COMMITTEE SHOULD ACT AS JUDGES.