Transitioning into the New Community Center

• Construction is projected to finish in late spring/early summer.
• The Youth Facility and Teen Center will be located on the north side of the building and will offer many new features and amenities.
• New building has a dedicated YDP kitchen, movie theater, STEAM classroom, Art classroom, expanded playground, expanded computer lab, Teen Center “Arcade”, studio, Teen Center Quiet Room, and access to the new gym.

Collaborating with MIT Culture Department

• Working together in preparation for Canoe Journey 2023.
• Incorporating more cultural activities into daily programming at the Youth Facility, Teen Center and Summer Camp.

Potential Expanded Services and Hours

• As YDP participant numbers increase every year the new and expanded facility brings more opportunity for growth.
• The YDP will look at ways to add services more focused on High School age participants.

Collaborating with Other MIT Departments

• The YDP has partnered with HWC on several events and continue to look forward to future collaborations. The HWC has been amazing to work with and events are always well received by the youth.
• More collaborations with behavioral health for prevention and the horse barn.
• Search for opportunities to work with other departments.

Continued Staff Development

• The YDP will recruit more staff and create opportunities for growth.
• Continue training opportunities for staff, including Bridge Conference, SOWA virtual training opportunities, and other opportunities.
• Select staff participate at the National Afterschool Association Convention (NAAA23).

Community Engagement

• Host events that are open to the community.
• Make the studio available for community use.

• Continued partnership with MCDC through March. Hosted MCDC school age youth from Auburn School District, Enumclaw School District, and neighboring school districts for before and after school care.
• Re-opened the Youth Facility and Teen Center for after school activities.
• Afterschool participation at the YDP grew from an average of 44 participants daily in 2019 to 55 participants daily in 2022 (20% increase March-June and September-November 2019 vs 2022).
• The summer of 2022 was one of the hottest in memory and the YDP staff found many fun and creative ways to help participants beat the heat. Activities included many squirt gun and water balloon wars as well as a misting tent on days that were hotter than 90 degrees.
• Summer camp participation grew from an average of 63 participants daily in 2021 to an average of 79 participants daily in 2022 (20% increase over same 9-week span).
• Spring Break and Winter Break- YDP adjusted hours to 7:00 am to 6:00 pm and offered daily field trips and fun onsite activities.

‍