Friday, May 09, 2008

YOUTH CENTER COMES ALIVE

Jamal Allen, 15, and Antonio Gunther, 15, play a game of pool in the Youth Center game room on a recent afternoon.

When Betty Huebner took over the Youth Center last fall as director, just a handful of children would stop in each day. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands and went out to the area bus stops to find out why. She asked questions and listened. She got the children together as a group and paid attention to their ideas. By being positive and pro-active, Huebner now has a bustling center filled with after school activities and programs that benefit Fort Belvoir youth.

From arts and crafts to conflict resolution, if it involves serving the interests of the children, you can guarantee that Huebner will find a way to make it happen. With help from a capable staff, the center devotes it’s resources to weekday recreation with an emphasis on education and socialization.

Each day, as the children filter in after school, they get a light snack and time is set aside to getting their homework done. Only after that is finished can they partake in many of the various activities available.

So, while basketball, roller skating, volleyball, dances, lock-ins, guitar hero, or just hanging out may be the draw, there is a focus on the future.
With the help of Family Advocacy and Army Community Services

counselors and speakers, programs are presented that emphasize team building,

self-esteem, teen violence, dating and self-defense skills.

“I want to help children develop life skills, with an emphasis on education. I want them involved in the decisions made and I want them to learn how to make the right choices for themselves,” said Huebner when asked what role the center has.

A leadership program labeled the Keystone Club, with two youth age groups from 11 to13 and 14 to 18, has been developed. Those children help to plan activities and community service projects, that include area clean-ups, planting for Earth Day and creating a butterfly garden.

After an initial physical cleaning of the center and its outdoor facilities, Huebner then took her no-nonsense approach indoors and applied it to unwanted behavior.

“I love children I have raised 11 of my own, and you have to be tough, otherwise they will walk all over you,” said Huebner.

It’s evident the staff’s approach works, as a recent Saturday found more than 40 children and their parents involved in playing games, reading, watching movies and shooting hoops in the gym, before a cook-out began. It was all being done in a quiet, cooperative manner.

“We work with all different levels of abilities, we try and foster good communication, and emphasize having respect for one another. We also challenge them to learn new skills, those they can carry over for life,” said Tina Wills, assistant director, as she hustled about preparing for yet another activity.

Upcoming events include Family Bingo Night Friday 7 to 9pm, Parent and Guardian cook-out, Saturday from 2 to 4pm, and a Guy’s Lock-In, May 31, 8pm to 8am. Registration is free.

Center hours are Monday through Thursday from 2 to 7pm, Friday 2 to 9 pm and Saturday noon to 9 pm.

For more information call 703-805-4515.