Bandon Community Youth Center says enrollment, partnerships and youth employment are growing

Melinda Torres, board chair of the Bandon Community Youth Center, told the Bandon School District board that the center has steadily expanded since 1998 and saw record summer participation this year. "We had over 70 kids enrolled last school year," she said, and added that the summer program reached as many as 90 enrollments in total. She said the center employs local high-school students and provides scholarships and flexible payment plans for families.

Torres described program elements including after-school care for 6- to 12-year-olds, nine-week summer camps, full-day options during school breaks and a focus on gardening and STEM activities. She highlighted a new partnership, which she called the "beat project," that provided free locally sourced vegetables to families and sold out at its first distribution; the center had raised about $800 to continue the program.

Torres also announced plans to revive a long-running community fundraiser in February that will showcase local restaurants and include live and silent auctions. She noted operational improvements — including new entry doors and volunteer-led building maintenance — and said the center now has several high-school graduates serving on the board.

Torres answered questions from board members about funding sources and grant-writing capacity, saying the center relies primarily on grants, community partnerships and local donations. She urged collaboration with district staff where appropriate and said the center has worked with district schedules to provide care on inservice and half days.

The presentation closed with Torres asking the board to note the center's role in youth employment and community connection and to keep summer-program funding in mind during forthcoming budget discussions.