Some dreams are of cinder blocks, roof tiles

Some dreams do come true and ManiYAC Pride is seeing one of theirs take shape in the form of cinder blocks, roof tiles and doors for the new ManiYAC Center.

A teen center is something that a lot of people in Orofino have discussed for a long time and at times there have been various ventures to start one, but students decided about five years ago to take the initiative to make it happen. Amy Walker, Gerry Hosley, Cody Newman and Chris Pattan are among those working both hands-on and in fund raising to make sure the center is finished and ready for occupancy in the next few months. They were happy to explain to media visitors Wednesday all about the history of the project and why they are working so hard. Walker and Hosley are seniors and graduate in a few months, but they and other classmates remain committed to the project.

ManiYAC Center is located just north of the Orofino High School Baseball Field that was also built with donations from the community. The cinder block building will have a quiet room set up for the teens to study and use computers. There will be a recreation area with couches, a pool table, television and maybe a foosball table, the students said. A concession area with kitchen and pantry will be in one end of the structure.

The students envision a place that teens can go before school, during lunch and after school, maybe even on weekends. It is a place where they can gather with other teens and study, relax and have a place where they belong. They feel that teens particularly need a place to go when they are dropped early before school or after school waiting for practices or when they need a quiet place to study. Many of the students live long distances from the high school and with gas prices, it is impractical to run back and forth much.

They are also learning the practical sides of what it will take to keep the facility functioning. They have worked with Chris Kuykendall, Clearwater County Economic Development specialist, to write a business plan and budget for operations which will include a paid adult to run the center. The teens will be responsible for raising the funds to pay that person. They also hope that other adults will volunteer to help with the supervision that will be needed whenever the center is in use. They are learning computer programs like QuickBooks so they can manage the business parts of the operation. The center is one of the projects that the executive board of ManiYAC Pride has been on, according to Hosley. The center will be governed by a board of teens.

Partnering is another skill they are learning, especially with the school district and the City of Orofino. The center is on district property and they will provide the utilities and Internet access.

One of students' hopes is that the concessions that will be in the center will help provide finances for operation costs. That becomes a viable possibility when they talk about the center being a place that can be used during baseball tournaments and provide concessions and space for visitors as well.

The teens have done everything from rake leaves and sponsor three-on-three basketball to raise money for their center and with donations and grants; they have raised $65,000 to this point. Some have been involved in the actual hands-on parts of the construction from digging ditches for the plumbing to working on finishing the interior. Much of the labor has been donated by local contractors and works crews from Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino. But now it is time for the teens to raise more funds to finish the center, hopefully in the next few months. They are in the process of planning fund raisers.

While the dream and drive are theirs, they recognize ManiYAC Pride has had a lot of mentoring and support from adults along the way. They expressed appreciation for their advisor, Ann Riley; Clarke Burnham who is overseeing the construction; work crews from Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino and all the people who have donated labor, time and money.

Those who would like to donate to the fund raising efforts may send funds to: Clearwater Youth Alliance, P.O. Box 224, Orofino, ID 83544. Ann and John Riley are offering to match any donations that are made by the end of February up to $10,000, the students added.

Photos: Top: ManiYAC Pride members help explain the history and future of their new center on the Orofino High School campus. They are from left Chris Pattan, Cody Newman, Amy Walker and Gerry Hosley. Bottom--While it seems empty now, students envision a not to distant future when the ManiYAC Center will be a place for teens. This end of the building will house the concession area.