McKinleyville
Teen Center
Our Mission
We empower youth to reach their full potential as responsible, caring and productive citizens through professionally led programs and activities that are fun, positive and relevant in a safe, supportive and healthy environment.
Location
1705 Gwin Road, McKinleyville, CA 95519
Contact
Unit Director:
Marie Ream
Phone: (707) 840-0304
Email: mream@bgcredwoods.org
Hours
School Year:
Mon: 2pm – 6pm
Tues – Fri: 3pm – 7pm
Holiday Schedule:
1pm – 6pm
Summer:
Mon-Fri 12pm – 6pm
Join Us
Register now online or stop by the Teen Center or Admin Office at 939 Harris, Eureka
About Us
Each day, McKinleyville Teen Center offers a variety of activities and programs that foster community, diversity, smart decision making, a positive self-esteem and kindness. Safety is our #1 priority. We strive to be relevant and inclusive. We work to provide opportunities for youth to grow and succeed. We offer help with school work and encourage youth to value their education. We create fun opportunities for youth to relax and let go, and empower them to reach their fullest potential.
Engage. Inspire. Empower.
For Kids and Teens of All Ages and Interests.
Explore innovative programs designed to empower youth to excel in school, become good citizens and lead healthy, productive lives.
The programs listed below are offered at McKinleyville Teen Center.
Power Hour
Members receive help with homework, school projects, job applications and resumes.
Cook Masters
Members learn skills in the kitchen and how to create affordable, healthy dishes.
Gardening
Members learn to care for, de-weed, and grow their own gardens.
Photo Club
Members learn basic photography and editing skills as well as travel to scenic locations to take photos.
Girls Group
A health and wellbeing education that increases self-esteem and smart decision making.
Guys Group
A health and wellbeing education that increases self-esteem and smart decision making.
Safe Zone
A safe space for LGBTQ+ members and allies to gather and discuss their lives and learn how to navigate society.
Triple Play
Designed to incorporate healthy habits, emphasizing good nutrition, physical activity, and improving overall well-being.
Youth for Unity
A program that provides the groundwork for youth to better understand diversity and combat the injustices of prejudice and discrimination.
SMART Moves
A critical-thinking and decision making program designed to address bullying, drugs, sexual harassment and more.
DND
Members play Dungeons and Dragons together.
Free Time
Members engage in numerous activities that allow for fun and relaxation.
Art Unlimited
Projects like drawing, painting, print-making and crafting. This club meets every 1st Tuesday of the month.
Cycling Club
Our Cycling Club bikes the various trails in McKinleyville. This club meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month.
The McKinleyville Teen Center focuses on three priority outcomes: Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles. We also provide our members the opportunity to engage in programs that will enable them to develop positive self images and reach their full potential.
Hello! In May, we hired a fourth staff member, Francesca. Francesca has a bachelors in studio art and art education and is working on her teaching credential. She has classroom experience and has taken on large scale art projects at Pacific Union Elementary. She is friendly, outgoing, relational, compassionate and loves to organize. She is enthusiastic about taking on Gardening, Baking, Art Unlimited and SMART Girls.
We now have Dallas as Program Assistant, Jake and Francesca as Program Aides and me as Unit Director. Dallas covers open gym/Basketball Club, SMART Moves, Pride Club and has mentees that he is mentoring. Jake covers DND, Passport to Manhood, Pancake Fridays and has mentees. I am covering FNL leadership on Tuesdays, FNL as a whole on Thursdays, will sometimes run baking activities and various SMART Girls activities and also have mentees.
All staff supervise while engaging members in thoughtful/educational conversations and work on building supportive relationships with them. We have such a dynamic team! We are all relational, friendly, naturals at running programs, willing to have hard conversations and LOVE our jobs. I look forward to collaborating as a team this summer and into the school year.
Our goal this summer is to have more than enough youth to successfully run programs and special activities. We will be open Monday through Friday, 1pm-7pm. We will be running all our regular programs as well as activities such as roller-skating, water balloon fights, Basketball tournaments, Nintendo switch tournaments, Art Projects, Gardening, field trips and much more!
Recognition of Members and Staff:
- Member of the Month: Landon (see below)
- Staff of the Month: Dallas
Dallas continues to bring balance to the Club. Each day this year he has escorted our junior high members from the middle school to the club. This has changed the atmosphere of the teen center in many ways. Dallas has made so many meaningful connections with our members. They look up to him and respect him. He is excellent at de-escalation, mentoring, conflict resolution and active listening.
*Please see the calendar for our daily schedule. We will be closed July 4th and 5th. Thank you!
Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help your youth have a better experience here at the teen center!
Sincerely,
Marie Ream
Unit Director
McKinleyville Teen Center Staff, Left to Right: Francesca, Jake, Dallas & Marie
Calendar
Brochure
Member of the Month
January
Jacob became a member in December and has already earned member of the month. He is always wearing a huge smile and laughs frequently. He always has a great attitude and is a joy to be around. He is respectful, kind, thoughtful, and a good friend. Jacob participates in programs such as Passport to Manhood, SMART Moves and Cooking Club. Jacob can often be found playing DND and loves his family.
February
Terra is a phenomenal person. She is kind hearted, generous with her talents and time, thoughtful, a good friend, intelligent and talented. Terra participates in SMART Moves, Cooking Club, Art’s Unlimited, Pride Group, Trivia and often helps staff with cleaning. Terra is a positive light for everyone around her.
March
Val is strong and enduring. He is without prejudice and is truly kind. He is funny and easy going. He is open and honest. Val loves watching and playing football. He often participates in Friday Night Live, Cooking Club, SMART Moves, Trivia and Basketball Club. Val continues to grow and mature. We are really proud of him.
April
Zoe has so much personality and is straight out of the ’80s goth scene! She loves Nine Inch Nails, Tool and is always listening to music. Zoe is a resilient, growing leader and has had a huge influence on the direction of our Friday Night Live meetings. She has led many baking and sharing circle activities here at the Club. Members look up to her. Zoe is always involved in our fundraising events as well as different community service opportunities. She is a wonderful role model for her peers.
May
Roland is bright, fun, funny, kind, helpful and an amazing leader. He has taken the lead in several areas around the Club. Members look up to him and respect him. Roland gives good encouragement and is a wonderful friend to many. He can often be found playing DND, cooking in the kitchen, hanging out with friends/staff, taking out the trash, attending Guys group or Friday Night Live (FNL). Roland comes to the Club almost every day most months and had perfect attendance for the month of April.
June
Landon has grown exponentially as a person this past year. He participates in so many of our programs and activities such as: Guys Group, Cooking Club, Baking Club, Question of the day (SMART Moves), Art Unlimited and DND. Landon not only plays DND (a game that promotes communication skills, social skills, emotional regulation, acceptance and imagination) but leads two different campaigns throughout the week. We are so proud of the leadership skills that Landon is showing. He was recently a judge for the Pony Express Parade in McKinleyville. Landon is proud to be on the Autism Spectrum and is an advocate for everyone.
July
Nate has been serving on our Friday Night Live (FNL) Leadership team for 10 months now. He is growing as a person and showing both maturity and vulnerability. Nate has been volunteering with Miranda’s Rescue in Fortuna and the Betty Kwan Day Center in Eureka with our leadership team. He is enthusiastic, a supportive friend and has many passions. Nate will be entering high school next year and will be attending the Academy of the Redwoods.