The La Crosse Family YMCA Teen Center offers help with homework — and music lessons from college students.
Some teens drop in to help prepare or share in a Friday evening meal. Some belong to an art club, while others are involved in volunteer community projects.
Now in the works: a music room, including recording equipment. Central High School’s Central Connection and Grand Central Station show choirs will perform Sunday to benefit the project.
“I like that this event is about kids raising money for kids,” said Sheryl Gora-Bollom, clinical manager of Gundersen Lutheran’s outpatient mental health services.
The YMCA Teen Center is a collaboration between the La Crosse Family YMCA and Gundersen Lutheran, with support from the La Crosse Community Foundation and Gundersen Lutheran’s Children’s Miracle Network.
The new music room aims to have a recording studio for student musicians, Gora-Bollom said
“We want garage bands to drop in and jam, and students to come and get some music lessons,” Gora-Bollom said.
Michael Esser, Central choral director, said the school’s show choirs have had past fundraisers for other area causes.
“The community gives so much to our groups, and this is our chance to help give back to the community and use our talents for a good cause,” Esser said. “In this case, it’s kind of cool that it’s going for music.”
The teen center next to the La Crosse Family YMCA has grown since opening in summer 2009. Gundersen Lutheran had a major role in program development, with therapist Sarah Johnson working part-time at the center.
The center is open 3 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday to ages 14 to 18 in the La Crosse area. It offers teens opportunities to develop talents, skills and meaningful connections with trained adult YMCA staff and volunteers, Gora-Bollom said.
“It gives them a place where they can feel accomplished, no matter what their talents are, and find mentorship and a positive environment,” she said.
The teen center this week hired Brian Marcou as full-time director, with the La Crosse Community Foundation and the Children’s Miracle Network funding the position for three years before the YMCA takes over, Gora-Bollom said.
