VAST Teen Center

Valuing, Accepting, Strengthening Teens

Vision

TBD

VALUE

We value the teenager for who they inherently are as individuals.

Society’s perception of teens:

Are a nuisance

Get in trouble

Don’t have anything of value to offer

Teen perception:

Nothing of value is expected, so nothing of value is offered. They will live up to the expectations of society and their peers.

VAST perception:

Teens are valuable members of society and have many outstanding qualities to offer. They were designed as unique individuals with many gifts, talents and personalities to compliment whatever community they reside in.

While providing an accepting culture based on the value of each individual, VAST anticipates the following outcomes:

Acceptance of each other

There are many examples of divisions in social and economical classes among this age group. In schools where academia is the focus, a tolerant viewpoint is expected, however they are not necessarily encouraged to accept their peers on the basis of inherent value regardless of outward appearances. VAST strives to build community among teens and their peers in the center by:

1. Forming a Teen Advisory Board

2. Forming welcoming committees and orientations facilitated by peers

3. Establishing teen leaders to guide new members in building further relationships

4. Encourage participation and interest in the strengths of others by being in the audience of a show put on by their peers

5. Participating in programs offered by the teen center

6. Having a good time with each other utilizing the fun environment provided i.e. table gaming, electronic gaming, sound-proof band rooms, study room, café/lounge with comfortable seating, improv nights, battle of the bands, possible outdoor summer adventures, dances

7. Basketball/volleyball

Acceptance of community

Our goal is to offer teen center membership at a minimal cost so that all economic classes of teens can participate. Their ownership in the teen center will be through expected monthly community service. (Liability insurance is forecasted in our business plan and waivers will be signed by parents at the moment membership applications are submitted.) This can be accomplished by:

1. Performing community service using their individual strengths/gifts. i.e. a band has been practicing in the sound proof band rooms and has an opportunity to voluntarily play for a group, organization or school in any given month.

2. the teen centers’ efforts to partner and collaborate with other nonprofits in the community - a list can be provided with opportunities offered

3. The teen center can ‘adopt’ an area of our community in which services are desperately needed in the area of upkeep and maintenance

4. The teen center hopes to collaborate with the city of Colorado Springs for opportunities to offer teens internship areas one time for a few hours every month.

With these initiatives, empowered teens can view their community with new perceptions, see the value in helping their community, and serve in their area of interest.

Acceptance by community

Several emotions are elicited by a community at large when the subject of teenagers comes up; love and acceptance, mere tolerance at their presence, or dislike and contempt. By focusing on empowering teens to use their strengths to serve in their community the perception of this age group will change. With the help of media relations and marketing reporting on the positive outcomes of teen projects the community will see the teens as productive young members of society.

STRENGTHEN

To show examples of how to accept and value people, VAST will be strengthening many aspects of the lives of teens.

1. Life Skills

a. Basic cooking/culinary programs (long term goal)

b. Gardening at our community garden onsite

c. Leading and mentoring each other where appropriate

d. Study skills

e. Personality and strengths assessments to guide in career planning

f. Career planning

2. Financial skills

a. Weekly classes provided through Dave Ramsey’s curriculum for teens

b. Budget coaching by trained volunteers

c. Biblically based financial coaching for parents of teens

3. Leadership skills

a. Programs provided to increase these skills for future career planning

b. Teen Advisory Board leadership

c. Committee leadership

d. Peer mentoring

4. Development in their area of interest by utilizing volunteers experienced in these areas willing to pour their time and efforts into serving teens. Some include and are not limited to:

a. Bands

b. Web design

c. Graphic design

d. Teaching

e. Counseling

f. Gaming and game development

g. Culinary program will help a teen determine whether culinary school is a future objective

The leadership team at VAST understands that all of this can only be done by funding from our community, grants, and major gift donations. Background checks and applications on all staff and volunteers will be mandatory and participation by members at the teen center will be conditional based on an agreement that outlines the behaviors expected and behaviors not tolerated within the teen center, which will be signed by the participant and legal parent or guardian.