Getting the Gorge Youth Center up and running is a proactive project that can draw the entire community together, says Joe Martin, the driving force behind the plan.
He said helping students succeed means they reach their full potential and live with purpose. An added benefit of the project is a skilled workforce that can help attract new industries to the area and spur economic development.
“I don’t think there is a better cause out there — this affects every part of our community,” said Martin, executive director of ACTS (Acclaim Christ Through Sports), a nonprofit organization.
He has been pursuing development of a youth center for more than a decade, but a land donation valued at slightly over $380,000 has brought new optimism to Martin.
“That was a big holdup for a long time, so this is a big step toward making this a reality,” he said.
For 28 years, the The Dalles native has been working with youth and he’s seen two trends emerge that are of great concern: Not only is the childhood obesity rate is the highest in the state, the graduation rate in town is lower than the state average. The two and one-half acre lot behind Motel 6 on Seventh Street that has been anonymously donated has spurred the steering committee for the center to action.
In addition, a $160,000 endowment was awarded to the project, which, when combined with the property, is a commitment of more than $500,000 to the youth center, Martin said.
He believes those assets can serve as matching funds for grants from private foundations and other sources.
In addition, the steering committee is launching a fundraising campaign this month to get contributions from area residents, businesses and civic organizations.
The holidays, said Martin, are a good time to reach out to people who are in a mood to give back.
“We’re putting together a business plan to show how we would pay for everything,” he said. “I think this is something that people can get excited about; even those who have ties to The Dalles but live someplace else. All of the funding doesn’t have to come from here – it can come from people who have connections here.”
Seated on the steering committee, which formed about a year ago, are: Amie Baldy, chair; Dean Dollarhide, vice-chair; Amy McNamee, secretary; Kristine Mier, communications manager; Ben Neumayer; Dr. Keith Stelzer; and Maria Peña.
Their goal is to come up with $8.5 million in three years to get phase one and two accomplished. That involves getting the infrastructure in place — parking lot, utilities — and constructing a “commons.”
That facility, said Martin, needs to be big enough for classroom and fitness space, as well as a walking track, reading room and café that could generate income and provide busy families with nutritious meal choices at a reasonable price.
“We want to have the facility in use as much as possible,” he said.
ACTS is seeking to make use of a faith-based/secular mix of programs with Head Start, 4-H, Sonrise Academy, The Dalles-Wasco County Library and Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation District.
“We would like to get every youth organization around involved,” he said.
Martin envisions the youth center as a place where all ages and socio-economic groups gather. He said low-income families will be able to get help paying for activities, which might give their children opportunities to participate in sports and other programs that might not be otherwise available.
Phase three of the development, which Martin said will be undertaken at some point in the future, would involves development of a building where indoor soccer and football, as well as other activities, can take place.
The final phase would be construction of a gymnasium.
“We are beginning this with the end in mind. And this may seem like a grandiose idea but we shouldn’t settle for less,” said Martin. “Because if we do, we haven’t looked toward the future.”
His perseverance is fueled by his concern about teens becoming parents at age 15, children that start doing drugs at an even younger age and youth who decide to take their own lives because they lose their fight with a feeling of hopelessness.
“These things are happening and I believe that we can change that,” he said.
Not only can youth learn coping skills and develop healthy lifestyles, Martin said they can be trained to fulfill their leadership potential and better their communication skills through a center.
“Social media is disconnecting us right now, it’s very superficial. This center will teach our youth how to connect one-on-one,” he said.
Martin said volunteers are needed to help with different aspects of the planning process for the center, as well as fundraising activities.
People are also invited to donate time to ACTS programs.
For more information, call the ACTS office at 541-298-4277, or visit GorgeYouthCenter.org or its Facebook page.
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