Recreation, education, arts and culture, career and employment training, free health and dental clinic housed under one roof in new youth center
ASHLAND, May 22, 2013 – Joined by hundreds of young people , Alameda County government officials and community leaders dedicated Wednesday, May 22 the opening of the REACH Ashland Youth Center, a $23 million facility in the unincorporated Ashland community.The gleaming two-story complex is a much needed gathering place for youth, community leaders said, that houses a dance studio, a digital media arts center, a computer lab, a career development and employment center, a health and dental clinic, counseling services and library services. The center is a project of the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, Center for Healthy Schools and Communities, in collaboration with La Clinica de la Raza, Hayward Recreation and Parks Department, Deputy Sheriff’s Activities League, Alameda County Arts Commission, alameda County Social Services Agency, Alameda County Library, and the San Lorenzo Unified School District.
Kaiser Permanente is among a number of community partners in the center, acknowledged during the dedication by Alex Briscoe, director, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency.
“Today is about the dreams and aspirations of our young people,” Briscoe said in dedicating the center built with the last of the state’s redevelopment fund. In an area beset by the highest teen birth rates in Alameda County, high rates of school drop outs, youth unemployment, violence, child abuse and juvenile arrests, the youth center is a welcome and much-needed oasis for the community’s young people, he said.
There will be recreation, education, arts and culture, career and employment training. One critical component of the new youth center is the free health and dental clinic.
“We are grateful for Kaiser Permanente’s support of REACH and our work,” said Pedro Naranjo, executive director of the youth center. “We feel REACH is in a unique position to provide innovative, integrated and preventative approaches to health care to youth.”
Kaiser Permanente ‘s Community Benefit Program in Southern Alameda County is committed to more than $100,000 in program funding, in addition to providing technical assistance to the organization. Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit has also supported a number of non-profit agencies that will be providing services at the youth center.
“Kaiser Permanente has a long partnership with Alameda County and this is one more example of our commitment to provide access to health care in underserved communities by partnering with other organizations,” said Tom Hanenburg, Senior Vice President and Area Manager for Kaiser Permanente Southern Alameda County.”
“Community health and preventing childhood obesity are critical initiatives for Kaiser Permanente,” Hanenburg said. “We are proud to support the work that is being done at the REACH Ashland Youth Center.”
The 31,500-square foot building has been open for almost two weeks, and already kids of all ages have flocked to the center for hip hop dance classes, media classes, and gym exercises. The public café inside the center has a view of the popular skateboard park outside. Nearby, there is a ball field.
“I’m proud of everything that this center has become,” said Dominique Parras, the center’s community outreach worker. “The youth of Ashland finally have a safe place where they can grow and be creative.”
Hundreds of young people ages 11-24 have registered for the free membership at the center.
“This is a beacon for the Ashland community,” said Nate Miley, Alameda County Board of Supervisors.
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