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It is difficult to put an article or letter to the editor in the paper. There is a word count limit and what there is to be said on behalf of the center simply takes too many words. Bear in mind this is being written by a board member, not a staff member. Enough can’t be said for our staff. Loving, caring, dedicated, resourceful, each one worthy of full time, well payed jobs with full benefits. Doing what they do under those conditions would transform this end of Calaveras County. You want a solution to homeless and nearly homeless youth in our area? We have it. You want a full power community radio station? Stay tuned. You want free, organic, home cooked meals for those who need it? We have it. You want art and creativity for every youth who wants it? We have it. We attract all kinds of terrific artists! Did you notice we have an out door stage? We put on and host all kinds of performances free to the community. You want community gardens with organic farmers to teach you more about how to grow food? We have it. How about a farmers market? Check us out toward the end of June and shop at our farmers market. Want to learn about green, sustainable building? It’s in the works. You want work shops on a variety of subjects? We can do that. Is there someone in your family in trouble and you need help navigating the system? We can do that. Do you want to get involved in a wide range of issues having to do with our community? We are here for you. Learn more about our arts program. Learn more about our community Radio. Learn more about our free Tues. and Thurs. meals. (more if we had the money) Find out about the Green House project. (Look at “pages” to the right) Talk to us and learn what it takes to become a vender at the BMCY&F farmers market. Get involved in the senior exercise program or the yoga session. Are you an aspiring writer? We have writers workshops for youth and adults. Find out what ECHO is. What the heck is a “Peace Storm”? (pages) Need to get your blood pressure and weight checked by a qualified practitioner? Come see us. This is just some of it. You have to see the interaction between the kids and the family of people (staff) working at the center. You have to hear the board planing the next “impossible” project to benefit our youth and the rest of our community. You have to experience working with guest artists who have the ability to bring out your creativity, the creativity you didn’t know you had. Sit down and have a meal with people young and old alike and see how community can work. What we do and how we do it has attracted the attention of more than one university.
So if all this great stuff is happening what’s the problem? BMCY&F is dependent on grants and grant writing for our funding. If I had a million bucks it would go in an endowment for the support of this youth center. It is that important, what BMCY&F does can help support our community you and me included.

Alan R. Willard

Filed under: Uncategorized on May 21st, 2010