We are close to finalizing the Program Design Process for the Ashland Youth Center! 

In the months of October and November, the Program Design Teams (PDTs) completed their two final meetings which addressed two very critical questions: How can the different programs at the center partner and work together and What are innovative ways to finance and make our programs last? Teams created integration webs of what it would look like for employment, recreation, health, education, arts and culture programs to all work together, and produced extensive lists of innovative ways to sustain AYC programs including: earned income through a youth run bike and skateboard repair shop, dance-a-thons, and community cook-offs.

The Coordinating team closed the month of November with a very special meeting. Three experienced youth centers from different points in the Bay Area, Dr. Joseph Marshall of Omega Boys Club in San Francisco, Kim Aceves of RYSE Center in Richmond and David Kakishiba with East Bay Asian Youth Center in Oakland, were invited to share their thoughts and lessons learned. The coordinating team received veteran insight on critical issues of youth-adult relationships, case management, partnerships and financing. The coordinating team will come together for their final meeting at the end of January 2012.

We are grateful for the innovative, strong and creative ideas that came out of the Program Design Teams. Urban Strategies Council, the group selected to coordinate the program design process, is now pulling together these ideas for the AYC Strategic Plan.

Posted in Community Programs & Services