Local Youth Center Defies Skeptics

Five months after the opening of the Area Four Youth Center, local youngsters are praising the effect of the facility on the community.

"This place keeps a lot of kids off the streets, and has them doing good things," says Tony Clark, a senior at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.

Between 30 and 50 youngsters aged nine and up use the facility on an average weekday, with many more attending on Fridays.

These numbers are expected to more than double when colder weather comes, says George Greenidge Jr., the director of the center and its only full-time employee.

The product of years of planning and advocacy by neighborhood residents, the $3 million facility located at 243 Harvard Street offers a variety of programs for the community.

The most popular activities at the center are pool, foosball and basketball.

Dona Ellis, 14, says she visits the center everyday after school "to play pool and hang out with my friends."

Though youngsters tend to prefer recreational activities, Greenidge says he hopes the center will serve other functions as well.

"Historically, it's been the sports program that's been the attraction, but we're focusing on education now," Greenidge says. "We hope to institute a study hour every day from 2:30 to 3:30 in the afternoons."

Greenidge also says that he wants to encourage students to try educational activities they might never have considered doing before. He says the center's drama and dance programs have been very successful.

The center has youth councils which during the recent city elections organized a set of questions and outlined a youth agenda, which they presented to the city council candidates. Young men and young women councils and a four-day conference on college preparation have also been organized.

"These activities give kids an outlet to talk about important issues," Greenidge says. "There hasn't been an avenue for these kids before."

The focus on student achievement has resulted in changes in site plans as well.

One room which was supposed to be a television lounge area is now awaiting grant money to make it a computer room for student projects and homework.

The center is also in the process of getting a stage for student performances and a stereo system to provide music for dance classes, Greenidge says.

The center opened amidst skepticism by some students and neighbors who feared vandalism might quickly tarnish the new edifice. But Greenidge says he has been successful in convincing the young people that they have a real stake in the center's success.

"The first thing we do when we bring them in here in an orientation which tells the history of this building, and its 20 years in the making," Greenidge says. "This building is a result of their parents' efforts."

The center has a guaranteed operating budget of $3500 provided by the city. But a new volunteer group, Friends of the Area Four Youth Center, will raise additional funds.

Leverett House H.A.N.D volunteers tutor at the Youth Center, and the Harvard Outdoor Program is offering its services for planning activities.

The $5 membership fee is often waived, so the only real requirement is that prospective members pledge to adhere to the center's rules.

But some kids don't like the policies--no drugs, no alcohol, responsible participation--and refuse to sign, Greenidge says.

"Those kids are welcome to come back whenever they're willing to sign," Greenidge says. And if Greenidge has his way, the center is here to stay.

"We're not done yet." Greenidge says. "We're still developing and getting equipment, day by day."