Local Business Lends Helping Hand To Wilton's Trackside Teen Center

WILTON, CT — Shortly after Lori Fields took over as the executive director for Trackside, a teen center serving students in sixth grade and up in Wilton, she wanted a refresh for the building.

But what initially began as a conversation about painting the interior with Mike Handel, owner of 360º Painting in Stamford, eventually turned into a relationship with a much deeper impact.

Trackside first opened its doors in 2004 as a traditional teen hangout spot — an alcohol and drug free space where youth could go and do whatever they wanted to relax.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Trackside's model slightly changed, and they began to offer programming to include jewelry making, a garage band, theater and acting classes, a robotics program, quiz bowl, and a running club, among other activities. Trackside also started a membership platform.

A unique aspect of the programming is the fact that it is led by high schoolers, which allows a unique cross-mentorship dynamic to take place.

With the new model, Fields, who had previously served on Trackside's board for nearly four years, wanted to reinvent the interior of the building, which is located at 15 Station Road in Wilton.

"I think that spaces matter. I think conditions matter," Fields said.

At the same time, Handel was looking to become more involved with the community. He left life in the corporate world and took over the Fairfield County territory for 360º Painting in 2019, which is based in Stamford.

Handel saw Trackside's Director of Programming John Priest at a social function and wanted to get involved. He had been familiar with Trackside and Priest, who taught his daughter in school.

"When I went into this painting business, it was always in the back of my head to form some type of partnership and help them in any way I can," Handel said. "The two most rewarding things about what I do is walking into a place, and then leaving it when the project is over and saying, 'Wow, we really did help transform it.' I think painting is a good way of doing that."

Jon Minogue from Benjamin Moore was able to donate free paint for the refresh project, which was distributed through Wilton's local Ring's End. Handel offered a discount from 360º Painting, and just like that, the inside of Trackside was revitalized with fresh, colorful paint over a few weeks this summer.

"It was really meaningful and it was an incredible amount of support," said Fields of the collaboration.

But beyond the paint, Handel saw another opportunity to make a difference. He decided to join Trackside's board of directors.

"Kids sometimes get instilled with this message of, 'Hey, you're not good enough,'" Handel said. "Those messages can stick with you for a very long time. I'm happy to paint somebody's business, I'm happy to paint somebody's residence, but I was looking for a deeper way to make an impact."

Getting across a message to young children that they are good enough is a central theme for Fields, who is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 25 years of research and professional experience in human behavior and potential.

Fields said adolescent years are challenging for everyone, and it's the goal of the volunteers and staff at Trackside to offer an environment where everyone feels like they're good enough.

With fresh paint on the walls and a new look and feel, Trackside's mission can be amplified even more. The summer transformation also included the creation of an artist/workshop loft in what used to be the upstairs staff/office space.

Trackside opened up the entire loft, took down partitions, removed all staff desks and converted into into a place for kids to build, create, invent and explore.

"I knew that in taking this position, one of my top priorities right off the bat was putting my signature stamp on what I wanted the place to look and feel like," Fields said. "I really do believe that drives behavior and that drives a sense of feeling good not only about yourself, but where you're spending your time."

For more information on Trackside, click here.

For more on 360º Painting in Stamford, go to their website.