Community organizers seek cheap site for youth center

La Crosse Tribune, Apr 08, 2002 by Hollnagel, Gayda

The Community Youth Initiative is looking for a site for a youth center.

"Given the support for the skate park, we're hoping for the same generosity," said Joel Swissdorf, a community services specialist with the Coulee Region Community Action Program. Swissdorf, adult adviser for the CAP-sponsored Youth Commission said members have visited several youth centers in other communities to get some ideas for developing a program in La Crosse.

The commission is made up of 30 students, representing eight high schools in La Crosse County and La Crescent, Minn.

The skate park, which opened about three years ago in Lueth Park in La Crosse, was one of the group's earliest projects. The commission also developed a uniform curfew that was adopted last year by the cities of La Crosse and Onalaska, and most other communities in the county and La Crescent.

David Russell, an adult on the Youth Advocacy Committee, said a preferred site for a youth center would be in a nonresidential neighborhood but away from downtown bars.

Russell and Swissdorf said the hope is that someone from the community might have a building to donate as a site for the center or that could be leased for a minimal fee. If a location could be found, Russell said, the adult advisory group would likely begin a fundraising effort to help with operating expenses. He said some grant money also might be available.

As one of its projects, the Youth Commission is sponsoring a free art and variety show from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday, April 15, in Logan High School. The event is open to the public and will include displays of student art and musical performances by students.

The Youth Commission also is sponsoring a lock-in for middle school students May 17-18 at Logan High School, Swissdorf said. The event is a community service project.

For information about the Community Youth Initiative and its projects, call Swissdorf at (608) 796-9067.