Mission Statement
The Cuyuna Range Youth Center is a safe, fun place for all youth to gather and be guided by caring adults in building healthy relationships, exploring interests, and learning skills that enable them to make positive decisions throughout their lives.
Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
The Youth Center is an after school program for youth grades 5-12 with programming which focuses on learning, workforce development, community service, leadership and recreation. The impact of our program is one of changing lives by helping youth to beat the odds, gain community support and to provide youth with the needed skills to succeed. Immediate effects include giving youth the opportunity to experience activities for the first time, enhance what they might have already gained and have the availability for some immediate learning skills. In 2014 our youth visits increased 60% with an average daily attendance of 35 youth. Youth clocked 1402 volunteer hours participating in community service and fundraising activities. A security camera system and air conditioning were installed in the building. 10 organizations rented our building or sign during the year. A 2013 annual report was prepared and a budget for 2015 was approved in December 2014. Two new programs have increased community awareness of the Center. The Generational Opportunities program is a collaboration with the Cuyuna Range Care Center. It builds intergenerational friendships through monthly bingo and visits to the Care Center. A new rewards program started which is designed to challenge and inspire youth in our community to behave in a respectful manner, follow the rules of the Center and participate in a certain number of educational and community service activities a month. Ten youth earned a trip to Valley Fair in August. Youth assisted with planning of a hang out room for quiet activities. They helped with painting the room and adding a chalk board wall. During the summer community members from local churches used the Center kitchen to make sandwich lunches and distributed them to community youth. Youth hosted monthly dances at the Center which were sponsored by local businesses. The Program Coordinator is using technology to increase awareness of the Center through face book and our website. The Center participated in the Give to the Max Day fundraiser and finished 8th on the small non-profit leaderboard.
Current Goals
Expand the Reward Program, a Progressive Youth Leadership Development Program, by getting more youth involved in the design and implementation of leadership and community driven programs. Create sustainable programs and activities that will challenge and inspire the youth to achieve higher goals that lead to better futures for themselves while being connected to and giving back to the community in which they live. Strengthen sustainability efforts in both revenue and expenditures. Renew the Charities Review Council of Minnesota's Accountability Standards.
Community or Constituency Served
The Cuyuna Range Youth Center serves youth in grades 5-12.
Geographic Area Served
Crow Wing County: Crosby, Ironton, Deerwood, Cuyuna, Emily and occasionally Brainerd and Aitkin (Aitkin County).
