The adults who head the programs housed at the Clark County Youth House joke that the annual barbecue is the kids’ one chance to play. That’s because work is primarily what happens at 1012 Esther St., across the street from the Juvenile Justice Center.
“Keep your childhood wonder” was the fitting theme for Monday’s barbecue, which featured games, crafts and food to celebrate what the Youth House accomplishes.
“It’s very casual and very busy at the same time,” said program coordinator Kris Henriksen.
The Youth House doesn’t actually house youths, like some may believe. Rather, the home built in 1910 has been converted into offices and meeting spaces — including the couch-filled “chill room” upstairs — and is headquarters to various youth-oriented programs. House manager DeDe Sieler describes the house as a comfortable, safe place for youth to be while gaining advocacy, leadership, public speaking and writing skills.
“It’s such a welcoming, open environment,” said Hilina Kidane, 19, who now attends the University of Washington. “I was such a shy kid for a long time.”
She was part of the Clark County Youth Commission, which develops recommendations to the county councilors around certain community issues.
“You learn so much,” said Max Hsiao, who was on the youth commission for seven years, starting in the sixth grade. The 19-year-old Harvard University student said youth commission members and the work they do is incredible and transformative.
Citizen engagement
This year, the commission is researching citizen voice and engagement. The topic was announced last month during a retreat at the Twin Rocks Friends Camp & Conference Center in Rockaway Beach, Ore.
The commission also holds the Youth Achievement Celebration recognizing youth accomplishments, whether it’s environmental stewardship, arts or tolerance. Last year, the group introduced the empathy award, which was received by 30 local youths who demonstrated compassionate listening and genuine kindness.
The barbecue gives the youth commission, and youth in all the other programs, a chance to meet the county councilors in person.
“I think the games put the adults at ease as far as talking with the youth here,” said Josh Beaman.
‘Lifesaving’ place
Beaman is the program coordinator for the Safe Communities Task Force, which meets monthly to talk about gang activity and prevention. He’s gearing up for the task force’s annual two-day conference in October that features workshops on how to work with gang-impacted youth. Local police attend the conference as part of their continuing education, Beaman said.
Currently, the task force is helping 27 gang-impacted youth get out of the gang lifestyle and lead productive lives. The goal is to improve employment opportunities, increase community awareness and provide more opportunities for the community to get involved, Beaman said.
Katherine Khalifa, 24, said the Youth House saved her life. She was introduced to the Youth Town Hall and Options, which helps teens transition from childhood to adulthood. She got involved with the annual art show and found she had a knack for creating colorful, cartoonish paintings. Her two toddlers have inspired her to continue doing art while attending Clark College.
She’s graduating — or aging out — of the Youth House next month.
Also housed in the 2,670-square-foot house is Strong Teens Against Substance Hazards and Abuse. Last year, it was recognized for its work reviewing and rating advertisements at retailers selling e-cigarettes, vaporizers, hookah products and marijuana. They looked at the location, appearance and overall feel of stores, and whether they appealed to youth.
While the barbecue is a party, it signals that summer is almost over, school is about to begin and that youth at the Youth House will soon get to work.
Patty Hastings: 360-735-4513; twitter.com/pattyhastings; patty.hastings@columbian.com
