Youth center has reopened with a new look for kids

by Michael Nowotny

Mountain Home News

The Mountain Home Youth Center, a staple of "fun and entertainment for local youth, over the last 20 years," organizers said, officially reopened on Jan. 7 as an after school program.

It had been closed for several months for a reorganization of operations.

The facility is now open for children 6-18 years old, (6 years or younger, must be with an adult and for 18-year olds they must still be in high school).

The Youth Center is run by a non-profit organization, Parents & Youth United, and co-sponsored by the city of Mountain Home. The center is run by local resident Charlotte Moody-Emerson, with Theresa Bowman serving as the Youth Director.

Moody-Emerson became manager of the center on Dec. 17, 2007 and focused all of her effort toward updating the center.

The Youth Center features a karaoke machine, a DJ booth, a fully stocked snack bar and kitchen area, six computers, five arcade games, two pool tables, two fooseball tables, multiple video game consoles, a ping-pong table and three television sets.

The staff plans on having multiple activities in the coming months including pool and bingo tournaments, and dances. According to Bowman, there will be more activities to come, depending on the number of volunteers.

The center has received multiple donations from all over the city, including a pool table (Pioneer Federal), plumbing work (Bowman Inc.), ceiling and painting work (Lions Club) and electrical work (Winings Electric).

Other organizations donating to the Center included the Rotary Club, the Elks Lodge, Mountain Home Redi-Mix, and others. According to Bowman, the cost for revamping the center totalled $30,000.

The center is looking toward acquiring furniture, video games, and volunteers to help the children with their homework, help with painting, to supervise the youth center and to run the snack bar.

Former NBA star Michael Cooper, former NFL stars Glynn Milburn (running back with the Detroit Lions) and Elijah Alexander (linebacker with the Denver Broncos) and the Harlem Ambassadors, (a professional show basketball team reminiscent to the Harlem Globetrotters), have all paid visits to the facility in the past to "hang out" with the kids.

The Youth Center's eight simple rules are:

* No running (no skating-basketball, bikes, etc.).

* No alcohol or drug use (tobacco too).

* No cussing.

* No kissing or sitting on laps.

* No fighting.

* No roughhousing.

* Volunteers are to be respected.

* Breaking of rules will get you kicked out or police will be called.

"It's just a safe place for the kids, to keep them off the streets and give them a safe environment to be in," said Bowman.

Moody-Emerson hopes the community can help improve the facility, such as updating the games and equipment, not all of which are in top condition.

"If you live in Mountain Home and you want your kids to have a safe place to hang out, then come help this facility be the best environment for the kids," she said.

The youths who use the facility like it.

"It's fun here and I really like playing pool," said 8-year-old Logan Hampton.

"I really like it, and it's awesome," said June Moody-Emerson.

"It's the only thing to do that's fun in Mountain Home," said 15-year-old James Worrell.

"It's a great place to do homework and hang out," said Dustin Moody-Emerson.

The center is open for parties (birthdays), meetings (youth groups) and other fun activities at a fee of $25 per hour. The karaoke machine, with over 500 songs, will be set up to rent for parties at $100 per night.

The center is always on the lookout for caring adults that care about the youth in Mountain Home, organizers said. Anyone who would like to volunteer should call Bowman at 863-2104, or Moody-Emerson at the center at 587-4765. Anyone who would like to donate to the center can send their donation to Pioneer Federal Credit Union.

The daily hours are 3:15-6 p.m., Monday through Friday.