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Recreation staff highlight teen programs, volunteer opportunities and growth
Summary
Recreation assistant Ashley told the commission about expanded teen programming — a year‑round Underground Teen Center, leadership and volunteer opportunities, and successful events including a Haunted House that drew roughly 1,400 attendees — and commissioners praised outreach and suggested partnerships with local businesses and training organizations.
Alameda — Ashley, the recreation assistant who oversees teen programs, briefed the Recreation and Park Commission on Nov. 13 about a slate of youth initiatives designed to boost engagement, leadership and volunteerism among middle‑ and high‑school students.
Ashley described the Underground Teen Center (UTC) as a free, year‑round drop‑in program that includes an Underground Teen Shuttle providing transportation from schools, and she outlined leadership tracks from teen volunteers to junior leaders and adult‑ready recreation leader positions. "The Underground Teen Center, also known as the UTC, is a free year‑round drop‑in program," Ashley told the commission, and she said participation has increased this year compared with recent years.
The presentation included program outcomes and recent event metrics: the Teen Haunted House drew more than 80 volunteers and about 1,400 attendees across three days, with a surprisingly busy rainy Sunday that attracted about 600 people, Ashley reported. She also described a new flexible volunteer option, "Every Matters," to allow teens with busy schedules to sign up for single‑event volunteering rather than a long‑term commitment.
Commissioners and public commenters praised the department's approach and offered ideas to deepen program impact. Mr. Evans, a public commenter and parent, suggested clearer guidance for parents and participants on spending during multi‑day trips and proposed stronger partnerships with local youth training organizations and businesses to create on‑ramps to employment. He also recommended adding basic financial literacy and entrepreneurship to the program slate. The department's teen volunteer structure includes program elements that can support such partnerships, staff said.
Why it matters: The teen programs emphasize leadership development, intergenerational volunteering (teens assisting at the senior center), and project‑based event management that both engages youth and helps staff deliver city events. The department says increased participation and volunteer capacity lower operating costs and broaden opportunity for teens.
Next steps: Staff will continue program recruitment and outreach, pursue possible sponsorships or business partnerships to expand offerings, and incorporate commissioner suggestions for life‑skills and workforce readiness programming.
