6 - Sunday, February 26, 1989 - Lynn Valley Echo New drop-in centre attracts different breed of teenagers THE NEW teen drop-in centre established in recCentre Lynn Valley appears to be attracting a more responsible breed of teenagers than did its predecessor. According to youth programmer Gary Manson, the complaints of noisy, drinking teens ‘‘hanging out” in the old hall at the corner of Frederick Road and Mountain Highway have all but disappeared following the opening of the new recreation facility which houses the current teen centre. “I honestly can’t think of any outstanding complaint -—- even during dances,"" he said. Much of the credit is due to the . initiation of a. teen’ committee, . when recCentre Karen Magnussen offers a teen skate and recCentre Lynn Valley hosts its weekly jam session for young musicians, the number of teens who show up averages 250. Last year, ‘‘all types of kids’? — approximately 4,500 of then — were served by the centre. Two 18-year-old teen committee members, Chrystal Hadley and Dean Russell, agree that the centre now caters to a different crowd of teens. - “Hts not the same run-down scum hole we had before,’’ joked Russell. | Russell says that for many of the teens who used to patronize the old recreation hall drop-in, the new ceatre is ‘too refined.”” “There's a lot a resentment,”’ he said. “They feel it’s been taken away from them .... I think they | = have a good case.”’ YOUTH . PROGRAMMER Gary Manson ... credits: much of the organization to teen committee. which - is, along with Manson, responsible. for. organizing special events, developing certre : policies and program ideas and enforcing security at dances. - “They - jumped: on the - band- wagon,”’ says Manson, referring to . the teens’ reaction to joining the. committee. ‘‘It was great.’* Today, the committee of 12 has a waiting list of others wanting to become memibers. Manson estimates that there are about 50 kids who come regularly to the centre, which offers nearly~ 30 hours: per week of ‘‘drop-in’’ - time when. teens: can meet with ‘friends, talk and play games. : :-On . Friday nights, however, < Volunteer =. .GET TO know your community by. getting involved. Here are a few of the opportunities on file at: the. Volunteer Centre. SENIOR CENTRE in. Lynn: Valley is looking for a person who would run 2 slide show for their residents on a Thursday or Satur- © day evening for about an hour. If you have slides of your exciting vacation trip or flower show, etc., here is a: willing audience. Screen and projector available. WALKER needed to accompany a senior ‘resident to the Lynn Valley Centre. shopping .and_ pleasant conversa- tion are the requirements. The lady - in question is interested in music, arts and MOBILE® GIFT .CART HELPER for a Lynn. Valley “seniors. residence. Approximately two hours a week on’a Wednesday morning, 10 a.m. to noon. Would “suit someone who enjoys seniors - and capable with cash. : Some. window ~ Russell says that while ‘‘the 7- Eleven riots have severely calmed down,” there are a number of teens on the street who feel they have no place to go given the Stricter rules and. physical upgrading of the new teen centre. “If you had the old hall, you'd * definitely still have those kids up here,”” he said. "> .. But Russel} was unable to come up with an alternative for those who felt displaced by the new cen- tre. A. search is currently on to replace youth worker Mary Hen- dricks, who left her post in January. Hendricks. spent. much of her time with such teens — those whose meeting places were in malls or outside the 7-Eleven. - But Russell was cautious in his praise for the street worker pro- gram. “If you have the right : person doing it, it’s fine,’’ he said. “*Everyone liked Mary.”” But he predicted it would take time for Hendricks’ replacement to be accepted by the teens. “‘Mary went through a lot of hard times at the beginning,’’ he said. helpline RECREATION ASSISTANTS _are needed for a drop-in centre for teens. in the Lynn Valley area. Volunteers should be energetic and creative. Wednesday or Friday evenings or Saturday afternoons. -Some after-school drop-ins for pre-teens. ENGLISH TUTOR for a recov- ering. mental health patient in his mid-forties who needs assistance in further developing his speaking and oral English skills. Orientation offered. - “BLOOD DONORS needed. If you are between 17 and 66 years of age (a doctor's certificate is needed for those 66 years old), give the gift of life at the Capilano College blood donor ‘clinic to be held. § March Ist between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For these and other oppor- tunities available, Joan at the North Shore Informa- tion’ and Volunteer Centre 985- 7138. Back at the teen centre, Russell says the biggest problem faced at recCentre Lynn Valley is making people aware of the events and services available to teens. “It’s not widely known that some programs are very good,"* he said. Upcoming events being planned include a pie-eating contest, a hamburger dinner to which North Vancouver District Mayor Marilyn Baker and Premier Vander Zalm are invited (the latter reports that he will try te make room for it in his sckedule; Mayor Baker has ac- ceptedj, a three-day trip to Wells Grey provincial park. and a full- course Easter dinner for teens and their parents, all of whom are be- ing asked to bring a donation to the Food Bank. For more information on the teen. drop-in centre or special events, call Gary Manson at 984- a photo Cindy Bellamy MEMBERS OF Lynn Valley's teen committee discuss plans for the ex- pansion of Karen Magaussen arena with arena mznager Doug Worbets. The teen committee is largely responsible for organizing special events and developing programs and policies at the teen drop-in located at rec- please phone . 9341. Centre Lynn Valley. . 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