Financial Burden Threatening Continuation of East Windsor Youth Center

EAST WINDSOR, CT — Last week, the East Windsor Youth Center in Broad Brook celebrated its first anniversary of serving middle school and high school students. However, that celebration was somewhat tempered due to the precarious position the center is in trying to stay open.

The center, located at 147 Main Street next to Brookside Pizza, opened Oct. 20, 2015 after 18 months of preparation, strictly by volunteers.

"The dream of opening a youth center for East Windsor middle school and high school youth was born in Feb. 2014 after our community lost another young life due to a drug overdose," said Wendy Parker, president of the board of directors. "I put together a bunch of concerned parents and local business owners, and the community support for opening the center was amazing."

The East Windsor Board of Selectmen granted the group permission to start researching the creation of a youth center, and a planning committee was formed in July 2014.

"There were several obstacles, including permits and inspections and neighbors who were against us opening in the only location that was available to us," Parker said. "It was a struggle, but anything worthwhile is worth fighting for."

Financial difficulties are making the process of remaining open more of a challenge daily.

"We have managed to stay open for a full year, paying monthly expenses of close to $1,300 through donations and fundraising activities," Parker said. "We have run out of money and are in jeopardy of having to close the doors. We're going to do everything in our power to stay open, because unfortunately our community and communities close by still are suffering the loss of young lives cut way too short due to drug overdoses. We truly need to keep our doors open so our kids have a safe, substance-free place to relax."

Nearly 100 students have taken advantage of the opportunities at the center, most on multiple occasions.

In an attempt to keep the center, which is totally staffed by volunteers, available to the children, the board has enacted a three-level Community Partner plan.

"There are three levels of participation: gold, silver, and bronze," Parker said. "There is the option to pay in a one-time payment or in monthly payments. It is our dream that enough people will donate that we will not only have enough money to stay open, but enough time freed up from soliciting donations that we may focus on all of the services and programs we want to start at the youth center. We have had an amazing first year, but our dreams are even bigger. It truly does take a village to raise a child!"

The East Windsor Youth Center is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m., with dinner donated each Friday by local restaurants.

For more information or to join the Community Partner plan, contact Parker at ewyouthcenter@gmail.com, or 860-371-0367.

Photo courtesy of Wendy Parker