Youth grant helps save Teen Late Nights at Firstenburg, Marshall

Fircrest — Kids helping kids. The high school juniors and seniors of the Youth Philanthropy Program of the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington recently granted $3,305 in seed money to the local Parks Foundation for next year’s Teen Late Night programs at the Firstenburg and Marshall Community Centers. That program — “SPOT” at Marshall and “the Zone” at Firstenburg — provides safe places to hang out and fun things to do, from court sports to video games, on Friday nights. “We’d rather see kids on the basketball court than out on the streets,” said Vancouver Interim Police Chief Chris Sutter. Cheri Martin, executive director of the Parks Foundation, pointed out that this grant is a first step, and $21,500 remains to be raised to keep the Teen Late Night programs alive. Visit parksfoundation.us to learn more.