Auburn Parks and Recreation aims to create a more rounded and dynamic youth program through its new Find the Leader in You program.
In addition to providing community service opportunities for students in grades six through nine, the program seeks to provide opportunities for community recreational outings, as well as life skill education and other educational seminars.
Maura Toohey, director of the program, detailed FLY resulted from a conversation about the loss of classes like home economics that used to teach certain life skills. In the same spirit, FLY positions itself to help students learn skills required for life after high school.
“I’m not saying that this is going to be a home economics program, but for the older kids, we might bring in, you know, what are taxes? Or what is a student loan as they seek higher education,” Toohey said.
Toohey said F.L.Y. is currently focusing its efforts on community service as it tries to expand its current group of volunteers. The group is planning multiple community involvement events for the rest of the year such as helping set up downtown for trick or treat, as well as a free community gift-wrapping event during the holidays. FLY is also planning on having a motivational seminar later on in the year focused on staying motivated through the holidays and keeping focused in school.
“Next semester we're really going to focus on a lot of the educational and leadership components,” Toohey said. “This semester we’re trying to just really capture the kids that needed volunteer requirements, because usually if they need volunteer hours they need it now so that was kind of an easy way to get people interested in the program then as we build it was hoping people will be interested in it just because it's a good program.”
While the program is still in its infancy, relying on feedback from parents, the community and school counselors for much of its early formation, Maura hopes to soon roll out an official campaign and registration to get the program to where she one day envisions it.
“We're ok with the word of mouth right now.” Toohey said.
Parks and Recreation hopes to connect students to further opportunities for students in the summer when meetings might be less frequent. F.L.Y. participants will be encouraged to apply for other programs in the city, like junior counseling at Camp Kaleidoscope, one of the city’s summer youth programs.
However, Toohey stresses that community participation, no matter in what form, is the end goal. An interview and resume workshop is in the plans for spring to help students connect to further leadership and employment opportunities.
“We're also trying to be the hub to connect people to resources, but some of those resources might be summer jobs,” she said.
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Tyler Schmidt, junior in culinary science, writes for The Plainsman news section.
