MANISTEE — The small building at Sands Park known as The Rec has served as a place for kids in Manistee for decades, leaders said.
“We get kids that either don’t want to go home or don’t have a home to go to, everybody is welcome here,” said Jen Kershner, a member of the leadership cohort.
The Manistee area leadership program selected the youth center as its annual community service project and set a goal of raising $30,000 to help renovate the aging building and expand what it can offer local kids and teens.
Kershner said the space continues to play an important role for families across the county.
“It’s a place kids can go after school and hang out when maybe they don’t have another safe location to go to,” Kershner said. “Maybe they don’t want to be home alone.”
Linda Gamache-Chick, president of the Board of Directors, said the facility needs a range of updates, including painting and remodeling.
“These walls have not been painted for probably 15 years, part of the board painted them,” Gamache-Chick said. “So, they’re going to come in and do that and they’re going to do some remodeling for us, get us some cabinets and hang some shelves.”
Kershner said the building’s age also means it needs electrical upgrades and that the goal is to make the space more welcoming for all ages.
Kids at The Rec take part in activities that include games, skating and meeting up with friends, Kershner said. She added that the youth center helps keep kids away from harmful behavior.
“There’s no drugs, no smoking, no vaping,” Kershner said.
Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce President Carmen Kott said community service projects are a core part of the leadership program.
“They’re required to do a community service project that allows them to be able to look at any of the challenges or opportunities that we have in our community,” Kott said.
The leadership group plans to raise money through sponsorships and community fundraisers, including possible events such as a celebrity bartender night.