By Sarah Lombardo
In addition to holding summer jobs, Saratoga teens are working hard to collect funds for a local teen center.
Members of the Saratoga Youth Commission are raising money to pay for the teen center at the Warner Hutton House, located on Fruitvale Avenue near City Hall.
Fundraising efforts began after the City Council approved reopening the historic house to teens, but agreed to fund only the first half of the 1996-97 school year, which amounted to $8,450. The other $8,450 is up to the teens and the community.
The teens have made $187.50 so far by renting a booth at the De Anza Flea Market.
"They sold junk from around their houses and bracelets they made themselves," said Joan Pisani, recreation director for the city. Youth Commission adviser Beverly Tucker said the commission also received a $25 donation from a member of the community.
Pisani said the fundraising has been a joint effort between the Youth Commission and her department, with the department helping to direct the teens' efforts.
"The kids have come up with some great ideas," Pisani said. "The flea market was their idea. But the staff is very involved, and enthusiastically so."
Members of the community are also getting involved. John Hoiness, president of the Saratoga Rotary Club, said helping the Youth Commission raise money for the center is the primary topic on his agenda. Hoiness said he plans to present the club's board members with the idea of a matching funds program; for each dollar, up to a certain amount that the community gives to the Youth Commission, the club will match it.
Hoiness said he thought it would be a perfect way for the Rotary Club to get involved with local teens. "Rotary's thrust this year is youth and the community; so, what better way to combine the two?"
The Warner Hutton House is scheduled to open to middle-school students on Sept. 3, the first day of school, Tucker said. According to Tucker, the students can go to the house after school and participate in supervised activities or do homework until 5:30 each evening. High-school students will have access to the house on weekends.
The Warner Hutton House was first used as an after school center in 1992. Students then were charged a $65 flat fee. By 1994, students were being charged $2 an hour and participation dropped because students said it seemed like a daycare center. The after-school program was ended completely in 1995 because of budget constraints.
Members of the commission said they consider the work involved in the fundraising well worth the effort.
"I think [the center] is really important," said Sarah Adolphson, 16. "The kids have no where to go, and this will give them something to do."
"We're going to try all that we can and work as hard as we can to make enough money," said Sheeva Ghassemi, 13.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, August 14, 1996.
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