Ribbon cutting for Teen Center

The “New” VOM Teen Center

The new Valley of the Moon Teen Center is set to open the first part of August. Our new building, which was financed and built by the local community, will mark a significant event in the history of our Teen Center. Our new facility has a large multi-use central room; with additional classrooms for study, a computer lab, a gymnasium, and a full featured commercial kitchen. The “new” Teen Center goes beyond the opening of our new facility. For the past year, the Board members of the Teen Center have been focused on increasing the impact its organization has on teens throughout Sonoma Valley. Our focus has, and will always be, on at risk youth in Sonoma Valley. However teen issues such as gang influence, drugs and alcohol use, youth crime, school dropout rate, teen pregnancy and lack of jobs have no boundaries, and can negatively impact all teens, regardless of socio-economic demographics. To address these issues the Teen Center will provide new programming and services that will focus on education, career, and forming strong relationships with parents, teachers and the community. We are ourselves will be looking to increase our collaboration with other Teen serving non-profits, the school district and the community. As an example, we are partnering with Operation Youth and SAY to deliver a comprehensive set of career training and teen-run businesses. To rebuild the bond between parents and teens, we will be offering parent-teen cooking classes and basketball tournaments. We plan on inspiring our teens to participate in community events, providing teen know-how and energy in helping build the community. Will the Teen center be effective? Will our new approach work? We believe so, but more importantly we are committed to making a change for Sonoma youth.

Osias Encarnacion
Board Chair, Valley of the Moon Teen Center

Teen Center awarded Sonoma Valley Grant

Grants totaling $53,000 were awarded this month by the Sonoma Valley Fund to 11 Sonoma Valley organizations in support of community programs ranging from youth activities, the environment and music, to senior citizen services. The locally directed Sonoma Valley Fund, an affiliate of Community Foundation Sonoma County, awarded grants to Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Community Center Vintage House, La Luz Bilingual Center, Operation Youth of Sonoma Valley, Valley of the Moon Teen Center and Vineyard Workers Services.

Sonoma Valley Fund is a locally directed affiliate of Community Foundation Sonoma County.  Its mission is to create a permanent endowment through legacy gifts and provide resources for donors who wish to make charitable gifts, especially as part of their estate planning to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Sonoma Valley.  Donors may make gifts through a variety of programs to benefit specific causes of importance to them, or rely on the fund’s board of directors who are long-term, active residents in Sonoma Valley.  For more information, visit www.sonomavalleyfund.org.