March 31, 2004
Teens are constantly complaining that there’s nothing to do. The say they can’t have fun
without getting into trouble. Teenage boredom is a widespread epidemic throughout the
nation, and the people in our community are working to combat it. The Salvation Army
is opening the Underground Cyber Cafe in order to provide a safe and enjoyable
environment for the teens in our community.
Livi Miller is heading up the Salvation Army’s effort to start the Underground. She sees
a need for a safe place for teens in our community. She says quite plainly, “There’s just
nothing to do.” She points that most teens don’t want to get into trouble, they just can’t
think of anything to do. “There’s a population of kids who get into trouble, but there’s an
even bigger population who just want to have fun.” That “bigger population” is often at
a loss to know where they can have fun without getting into trouble, and those are the
young people that our community needs to reach.
The Underground Cyber Cafe will work to provide an affordable place that kids will be
able to enjoy. Livi Miller will be the manager of the Underground, and she says, “We
want to provide a safe environment where teens can go and hang out.” They have sound
equipment donated by Southwest DJ, computers donated by the Beaumont Corporation,
and plans for teen entertainment. They look forward to Karaoke night, live bands, a pool
table, and time with teens every weekend. They hope to create an atmosphere in which
teens will be comfortable, but that parents can also trust. The Underground promises to
be safe. They will have a zero tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol. If a young person
is found to have drugs or alcohol, he will be detained while his parents and the police are
called. He will also be banned from coming to the Underground. While it will be strict
and tough when needed, the Underground won’t have a myriad of rules in order to keep
teens in line. Miller says, “If you respect teens, they’re going to respect you. Teens are
no worse than adults.” The leaders of the Underground Cafe hope that a combination of
rules and respect will ensure a safe but fun hang-out for the teens in our community.
The Underground is scheduled to open on April 16, but before they do, they need
volunteers. They need volunteers who are willing to teach computer classes, make
coffee, supervise, help with security, or monitor the parking lot. Anyone over the age of
fifteen who has a heart for teens is qualified to volunteer. Miller says, “We need as many
volunteers as we can get.” Miller is optimistic about the future of the Cyber Cafe,
looking forward to its continuance and maybe even its expansion. However, in order for
the Cafe to stay in business, it must have volunteers. If you are interested in more
information about the Underground Cyber Cafe, or would like to volunteer, contact Livi
Miller at 327-5117.
Mayor’s Teen Advisory Council is opening their doors to the community for its next
meeting. We will be discussing many topics that are important to everybody in the
community, so we want the whole community to be involved.
The discussion of the Celebration of Youth Sculpture is on the agenda for our April 1
meeting. We are planning to have representatives from the Celebration of Youth
Sculpture give us details on the event and also let us know what we can do to help their
cause.
We will also be finalizing details for the Teen Summit that MTAC is hosting. The plans
for the Summit are exciting so far, but we still need input for the finalization of all the
plans. If you would like to be a part of planning for the Teen Summit, then be sure to
come to MTAC to add your input.
We’re ready to take on a new project, and we need your help. MTAC’s Agenda for the
April meeting includes discussing a new project called “Get on Board.” Get on Board
would provide transportation for younger kids to Summer Programs at the Library,
Recreation Center, Aquatic Center, and Boys and Girls Club. We are planning to present
our proposal for Get on Board to the City Council, and we need teens to get involved.
If you are interested in the Celebration of Youth Sculpture, the Teen Summit, or Get on
Board, be sure to make it to MTAC’s meeting at the Farmington Public Library. The
meeting will be on April 1 at 6 P.M., and we would love to hear input from people
around the community. If you have any questions about Mayor’s Teen Advisory Council
or our upcoming meeting, call the Teen Zone at 566-2201 or e-mail
teenzone@infoway.org.