This summer, as part of the Arts in the Park series, teens shared their many talents. They set up stage at City Hall and performed on the great lawn to peers, friends and strangers that came to see the show. Performances included spoken word, acoustic guitar music, mini plays, a vocal performance and a band. We had a great turn out and Redmond teens shared their great artistic talents with all who were in attendance.
“We have some great talent here in Redmond. Teens are very skilled and it showed tonight at the show.” says Ken Wong, Teen Programs Coordinator, who helped coordinate the line up. Redmond has a wealth of talent and it was shared this summer with the support of the City of Redmond’s Arts Commission.
Resource Days at the Teen Center
It all began last fall with extended hours at the teen center. More hours means more structured program offerings, things teens have requested. From a rock drumming class to college essay writing, the teen center opened its doors to more structured programming to better meet the needs of teens in Redmond.
“Our community is dedicated to supporting youth during the transition to adulthood, and Resource Days provides extracurricular learning opportunities to create well rounded Redmond citizens.” says Rana Shmait, Assistant Program Coordinator. Parents have commented that they appreciate having these free or inexpensive classes at the teen center. Teens who have taken a class have commented that, “I really enjoyed it, it was worth my time, and I learned a lot.”
A few of this falls offerings include How can I make money without working fast food, Drumming 101, Auto 101 for young women, Resume/cover letter writing and many more. So don’t miss out on all the programs offered this year.
“Resource Days provide young people with educational and life skills that can help them prepare for their future.” says Chris Cullen, Program Coordinator.
Check out Old Fire House (OFH) classes on the City’s website and search for OFH classes. To learn more email ofh@redmond.gov or call
425-556-2370.
Are you a teen in junior high or high school? Do you an adult living in Redmond who cares about youth? Do you feel that you can help create a great place for youth here in Redmond?
If you answered YES and are a youth or adult in Redmond, then you need to join the Redmond Youth Partnership Advisory Committee (RYPAC) – a voice for youth in Redmond. For the past five years, RYPAC has been supporting youth initiated programs and activities and giving teens a voice in what they want in their community. RYPAC has initiated park clean ups, tent city feeds, benefit concerts to collect food for Hopelink and fun activities like the summer movie series.
RYPAC is a youth leadership program that offers opportunities for youth and adults to come together and be the voice for young people in Redmond. Adults work side by side with teens to develop and participate in programs and activities they create.
This year’s executive team is Michelle Solomon, youth chair; Jesse Ewing-Frable, Secretary; Minna Stelzner, Voice Chair; Tony Le, Recreation Chair and Sabrina Hsieh, Service Chair.
“I have so many ideas that I see RYPAC doing in 2009-2010 and by being part of the team for my final senior year, we will plan so many events and be involved so much more than ever before,” says Michelle Solomon, Youth Chair. “It was really exciting to see so many youth be part of RYPAC this past year and I cannot wait to start recruiting again in September so we can have an even better year.”
Sabrina Hsieh, Service Chair added “I love RYPAC. I love the people I've met through the program, I love the events we plan and pretty much everything else about it, so it stands to reason that I would want to do my utmost to help maintain RYPAC's standard of work, and possibly improve it.”
The officers and other board members will be out recruiting new board members for the 2009-10 school year soon. So if you are interesting in joining RYPAC or want to know more about the group email rypac@redmond.gov or call Nancy Chang at 425-556-2358. Be a part of the change, join RYPAC!
Teens Give Back
Maybe Getting a Scholarship
The American Legion Post 16, working with the City of Redmond Teen Programs staff, wanted to acknowledge the great work that teens do here in Redmond. They wanted to create an opportunity where high school seniors who are continuing their education and giving back to their community were able to compete for a scholarship.
Teens in Redmond give back thousands of hours in community service and many are the unsung heroes for the programs they support. These range from work at the local hospital, bagging food at the food bank, cooking a meal for the homeless and many other opportunities. Sometimes it begins as a school obligation but for many it is a passion and an understanding that giving back is important.
“I think community service is one of the few things as beneficial to the volunteer as it is to the recipient,” says Brianna May, Redmond High School graduate. “Volunteering keeps you honest; there is no shortcut and you never find volunteers who are lazy or selfish. Community service keeps me open-minded and empathetic to the needs of others because I never know when I'll need that help.”
The American Legion, with community support, developed a scholarship fund that teens who have given back to their community can apply. Mr. Gary Compton, an active member of the American Legion, was the brain child for this scholarship and saw the great work the Old Fire House Teen Center is doing to help teens give back to the community. He heard about a program that his son did in California helping teens who gave back to their community and thought it would be a great program for Redmond teens. Mr. Compton has been an active supporter of the teen center for many years and felt that it was a great place to give back.
Jim Broe, Commander of the American Legion Post 161 says “When we see a program as pro-active and successful as the teen center’s and recognize the impact you have on some young people who would otherwise not have many opportunities open to them - it awakens the calling that makes us active members of a service organization - namely continued service to our country.”
Mr. Broe continued, “Your programs are so well-rounded and effective that we were humbled by our introduction to your facility, and wish to continue to support the young people who are an integral part of that program. If our little portion helps even one young person achieve success in life or to realize an opportunity that would otherwise not have been available to him or her -- then we have done what we set out to do.”
Post 161 is very active in Redmond in supporting the veterans and active service members of our community. They felt that this was an extension of the great work that they are already doing and share the wealth of our community.
The scholarship program is open to all students who are residents of Redmond and will continue their education after high school. If you have completed 50 or more hours of community service, you can apply for the scholarship to go towards post high school education.
If you are interested in donating to the scholarship fund please contact the American Legion Post 161. If you would like to get an application or learn more about the scholarship please contact the ofh@redmond.gov or call 425-556-2370.