Club
Red's Mission:
To encourage and empower Grand County teens to reach their full
potential by providing programming and activities that promote
education, recreation, community and leadership.
Club Red, the Moab Teen Center, is a growing community resource
in Grand County. Developed to address the need for more teen focused
community programs, Club Red provides local teens with a fun, positive
environment as well as access to opportunities that will empower
them to become accomplished individuals. Located beneath the Center
Street Gym, the teen center operates after-school and during the
summer. Teen center programming is available to all Grand County
teens aged 12-18. Programming is varied and diverse, offering tutoring,
recreational activities, social events, and community service projects.
Initially
created as an Infant Through Youth Foundation outreach project
in 2004, Club Red is now an independent program that is administered
by the City of Moab and financially supported by the Friends of
the Moab Teen Center, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization. The
Friends Board is led by Alison Kennedy who has long history of
involvement with non-profit and community organizations in Grand
County. Alison describes the Friends of the Moab Teen Center as
having dual roles. “It’s
important for us not only to raise money for the teen center, but also to raise
community awareness,” she says.
The teen center is also part of several community collaborations, including Wabi
Sabi’s 2006 non-profit partners program and the Grand County School District’s “Smoke-Free
Homes and Kids Campaign.” As part of this campaign, Club Red will be holding
a workshop for teens where they will learn to create multimedia materials to
promote the establishment of smoke-free homes in Grand County.
Recent Club Red events and activities have included a trip down Westwater Canyon
with Sheri Griffith Expeditions, partnering with the Moab Swim Center to bring
back the Sun Devil’s Swim Team, and a Teen Fair at the Moab Arts and Recreation
Center.
In
addition to special events, Club Red offers weekly drop-in activities at its
Center Street location. Drop-in programming is flexible, allowing teens to sign-in
and sign-out according to their schedules and needs. The teen center’s
summer hours are 3pm-8pm Tuesday-Friday. During these times, teens can start
an art project, socialize with friends or use a computer. Registration materials
are available at Club Red as well as in the Moab City Recreation Department at
City Center.
Joanna Sewall, Club Red’s Program Director, is very excited about the program, “The
teen center is all about providing opportunities and connecting youth to local
resources and mentors. Our goal is to offer something for everyone.” Joanna’s
previous experience with youth includes teaching high school in New Orleans,
LA and, more recently, coordinating writing workshops for Salt Lake Community
College in Salt Lake City, UT. In addition to Joanna, the teen center is staffed
by two AmeriCorps members who offer a wide range of skills and experiences.
For more information about Club Red registration, programming,
or fundraising please contact Joanna at 435-259-9991.