Communities on the rebound seek activities for young people

By Samantha Pysher

Special to The Vindicator

Those who work with youth in the communities of Allentown, Pa. and Youngstown recognize a simple truth: If you don’t give children something to do they may cause trouble.

“If kids have nothing to do, they’d be running the streets, and get put into the system,” said Melanie Costello, director of Educational Services for the Youngstown Boys and Girls club.

Costello’s counterpart in Allentown, Marie Magyar, echoes a similar sentiment and both women say that the mission of their organizations is critical to the sustained recovery of both communities.

In Allentown, for instance, Magyar, assistant director of the Allentown Boys and Girls Club, says that an average of 343 children show up at the six Boys and Girls Clubs spread throughout the city.

Attendance at Youngstown’s only Boys and Girls Club is significantly less at about 90 per day.

While the Youngstown club, located on Oak Hill Avenue, is serving only about one-fourth of the number of children that are assisted at Allentown’s clubs, Youngstown police recognize the importance of the organization’s mission.

Sgt. Ismael Caraballo, of the Youngstown Police Department said, “It’s important to keep kids off the streets because an empty mind leads to trouble…Children need to be occupied at all times. They need to be led and taught.”

Usually compared to each other because of the collapse of steel mills that once sustained the economies of Allentown and Youngstown, crimes committed by minors has increased in both communities in recent years.

Although Allentown’s population, 82,026 is larger than Youngstown’s which the 2000 U.S. Census pegged at 106,632, Allentown has more children. Allentown has 22,312 children and Youngstown has 17,768.

According to the Allentown Bureau of Police Community and Youth 1,489 children were charged with specific offenses in 2006, with most of the crimes taking place between noon and 5 p.m. on Thursdays.

Magyar is all too familiar with these types of statistics and her organization is motivated by helping to change them.

“We help keep these kids off the streets. Studies have shown that between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. crimes that are committed by minors occur. If we didn’t have organizations like these, we would have kids making poor decisions,” Magyar said.

At the Youngstown facility, several children recently talked about why they attend.

“If I weren’t here, I’d be at my aunt’s house,” said 10-year-old Precious Boone, a Youngstown Boys and Girls club member. “It’s a good place to be because it’s a positive place for kids to be,” Boone said as she smiled.

“I’d be walking around, going to the stores, like the mall and stuff,” 12-year-old Jaylynn Powell, a member of the Youngstown Boys and Girls club.

“The Boys and Girls club is a nice place to come because you won’t be getting into trouble,” Powell said.

We offer meals and homework help and programs that the kids enjoy, Costello said.

“Friends draw our kids here,” Costello said. “We give the kids a three-day pass for the club to give to a friend, they love it.”

“I feel that there should be at least two more Boys and Girls clubs available in Youngstown. Most children don’t come because there is no transportation available for the children to take here,” Jacquetta Peoples, a Youngstown Boys and Girls club staff member explained.

“Anyone between the ages of six to 18 can join the club,” said Costello.

As for the Allentown Boys and Girls club, they offer slightly different programs. We offer programs like swimming, movie time, cooking class and meals, Magyar stated.

“I know what draws the kids here, it’s the staff. Kids don’t bond with the programs, they bond with the people who administer them,” Magyar said.

“If someone is still in high school they can join, even if they are over 18,” Magyar said.

The cost to join Youngstown Boys and Girls club is $7 and the Allentown Boys and Girls club cost is $15. Both Magyar and Costello said that if someone is unable to pay the fee, then they don’t have to. “You just have to bring in the forms,” Magyar said.

The fees play a small part in the overall income of these clubs. Three percent of the Youngstown Boys and Girls club was financed by program fees.

According to a Boys and Girls club of Allentown, most of their finances come from United Way, grants, net assets, public contributions, special events, facility rentals and the program income.

“That is why I love working at the Boys and Girls club. The kids own the club. I also like seeing the long-term growth of the kids. Some start out as misdirected and they then grow into adults with goals,” Magyar said.

“I love being with the kids, and doing different activities with them, like group sessions, because I get to know them and they get to know me,” Peoples said.

The future is unclear, according to Costello. “It’s hard to say what the future will be like for the Youngstown Boys and Girls club, but we are always trying to bring in new programs.”