Uintah High opens teen center offering showers, laundry, food and job‑prep support

Uintah High School and the Uintah County School District announced a new teen center that provides showers, laundry, snacks, study space and job‑readiness activities for high‑school‑age students, district and school representatives said. A ribbon cutting and open house is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 29, with a noon ceremony and tours through 1:30 p.m.

"I really wanted to make sure that we had a place for kids to come and study or take a shower, get some food or a snack if they needed to during the day, do some laundry," said Mindy, a district staffer and former school counselor, describing services the center will offer. "This has been a multiyear process, and we are really excited about it."

The teen center is located inside Uintah High School and is intended primarily for students in ninth through 12th grades, officials said. Students from other local programs or schools may use the space if they check in at the high school's front office; staff members Mr. Mansfield or Mrs. McGee will review rules and hours with visitors, Carissa, a representative of Uintah High School, said. The center will be staffed full time by a teen center coordinator during school hours, with coverage from 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Officials said the center grew from grant funding and community donations. "Robin McClellan on our scribe board made us aware of a grant a few years ago, and we were able to acquire that grant as well as another grant and community donations," Mindy said. The team is accepting donations through an Amazon wish list and monetary gifts through the school foundation referenced in the meeting as "UNS Schools Foundation." Organizers said donors also may contact the high school for guidance on giving.

There is no charge for students to use the facility, officials said. In addition to basic needs support, the center will host after‑school events such as resume workshops, help filling out job applications and service‑work opportunities organized by the teen center coordinator, Janet Mitchell, and staff member Karen Laub Lobb. "We're putting together some service work opportunities for students to come in and participate in as well," Carissa said.

Organizers invited community members to the open house and asked that residents spread the word to young people who might need the services. "Come tour the space, ask questions, and come say hello to us," Mindy said.

The announcement and open‑house details were presented as part of the district/school update; no formal board action or vote on the teen center was recorded in the meeting transcript.