We Have a Great Pinole Youth Center

The Red Cross decided “A Pint for A Pint” would be a good way to get people to donate blood. A pint of strawberries? A pint of peaches? A pint of pure water? No, a pint of ice cream. The Oakland A’s host a Juvenile Diabetes Fundraiser and give away root beer floats. McDonald's gives away toys with their “Happy Meals.”

WOW, talk about mixed messages. Our children today play more video games than ever, eat more than ever, text more than ever and sit more than ever. We have become a fast society, a give-me-the information-now society We are losing the natural instincts of being human. Humans are meant to be outside, to be moving, to eat real foods, to verbally communicate and socialize. Yet we are doing less and less of all that.

We now have the highest level of obesity worldwide, our kids are buying “plus sizes,” parents are providing less than adequate food choices. Society has become unsafe in some areas so kids can’t go outside. Our gadgets are taking over our lives. Gone are the days when being outside means just that.

Pinole is fortunate enough to have the right downtown on Tennent Avenue. Amy Wooldridge is the recreation director for the city of Pinole. She has been the key person in promoting this program. The concept for the youth center began 10 years ago in a rented office space downtown. Finally, in 2006, the current building was completed and today the program is thriving. Jo Anna Altman is the coordinator at the center; she oversees the camp leaders and the leaders in training. She also implements the program, monitors the schedule, and makes sure things run as smoothly as possible.

The atmosphere is lively, as one would imagine with a room full of kids, not on their cellphones, not playing a video game in solitude, but a room full of kids actually socializing and verbally communicating one on one! The activity list for the current summer camp program is impressive. The kids go to the to swim, they bowl at , movie day is Monday at Hilltop. They have been to Six Flags, Angel Island, Indoor Trampoline Day, Plus, they have outside play and exercise activities in Fernandez Park right outside their door!

Summer camp ends on Aug. 19. On Aug. 23 the after-school program and transportation program begin. This after-school program is essential to many families. It ensures that their child will not be alone after school, will be safe. This well-monitored program includes homework help, sports, art projects, games, and workshops and youth leadership. It’s a win-win situation. Parents can rest assured that their child is getting some exercise and is socially involved. A huge bonus is that this program offers after school pickup (at an additional cost), which is great, so that working parents can complete their day and come home to children who have at least started their homework, have gotten some exercise and are ready for family time.

In the current economic time it’s challenging to maintain programs such as this one. Our budget cuts have hit far and wide. But because of the Pinole Youth Foundation and the Pinole Area Senior Foundation, funds have been raised to keep things status quo. There have been fundraisers in the past and a big one is coming in November to celebrate the Youth Center's 10th anniversary! The Pinole Youth Foundation will be hosting a Silent Auction and Gala on Nov. 4. I am donating one six-week boot camp at . If you would like to partake, contact the center!

I will be at the center on Aug. 24 to talk to the kids about healthy lifestyle choices. In the future I will be leading a bootcamp for them.

In the meantime, keep your body moving and eat real food.

Sue D'Alonzo is a personal trainer and a boot camp instructor. She has been in the fitness business for more than 30 years. She lives in Pinole, trains in Berkeley and is a co-owner of . She is certified with The American College of Sports Medicine.