At the Sept. 26 Antioch City Council Meeting, the Youth Civic Leaders Society (YCLS), in partnership with Elliott & Associates Consulting Group and Contra Costa Family Justice Center, advocated for a youth hub.
The effort is aimed to help improve the well-being of young people in Antioch after school and give them a place to interact with others and be in a safe space. The hub is estimated to have an annual cost of $3.5 million.
Sarah Morgan, a graduate of Antioch High School in June, shared she was attending the University of Pacific, presented the props al of a youth hub so youth have a space not only to “express themselves” but have a place to do their homework.
“I love expressing myself using dance and music. Having a space to dot hat is a gift and I want the youth of Antioch to have that chance,’ said Morgan.
The youth were asking for a space for youth to feel safe and to express themselves—dancing, singing, sports, homework help. They wanted to bring people together to work on a youth hub for the youth in the City of Antioch.
Under the Proposal:
“We are addressing the proposal for a youth hub, a place for young people to hang out at and just make memories and have a safe space outside of school,” said Morgan. “Youth spaces provide a vital foundation for growth, connection, and positive development.”
Morgan continued stating she wanted the city council to support the project and fund the proposal, but wanted the youth to be safe about how its being used, empowering the youth, and to be able to relax.
Victoria Ezeibe added, “We really need to create that safe environment in Antioch other than a house or a home that may not feel like a home. Or a school, because there may be bullying which may not feel like a safe space. With this youth hub, I feel like we can really foster and develop living in Antioch as a youth with a safe environment that is not your home or school.”
Laylanie Richardson shared she didn’t believe there was much for youth to do.
“Antioch does not have much for youth to do. I find myself searching for things to do,” said Richardson. “Even trying to make friends, we can help connect people.”
Under the proposal, which needs to be funded, it was suggested the funding come from the city council, Contra Costa Measure X, the Justice Center or other local tax revenues, community hosted events, donations or non-profits looking to provide grants.
The estimated cost for a youth hub would be approximately $5 million for the infrastructure and estimated at $3.5 million per year, which was based on similar programs such as the Ryse Center.
“I feel like this would be a great opportunity for youths in Antioch to find a safe place to go and find different interests. It would be a great investment for everyone in Antioch,” said Joy Ezeibe.
During the presentation, Morgan discussed crime and how they realize there is crime in the city and the crime statistics showcase a need for safe spaces for youth to come together in positive activities and preventing them from participating in criminal behavior.
Councilmember Lori Ogorchock shared that at the League of California Cities that Brandon Fleming, author of the book Miseducated, was the keynote speaker and spoke about what the presentation touched on—which was “7th Period” where going home for him was a nightmare because he didn’t have a safe home.
“This is really good, I can actually see a safe hub, somewhere safe for the youth to go, so thank you very much,” said Ogorchock. “The funding is something to look at, but I can see the benefit for a lot of youth in Antioch.”
Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker stated it was a possibility to bring Measure X dollars to Antioch for this type of program, but would take organizing, collaboration, and coalition building. She stated an effort was needed to bring the $5 million in Measure X money to Antioch.
“I would say supervisors, or anyone seeking office for supervisor in this next year, you should be knocking on their door demanding that they make a commitment that they swing those dollars this way,” stated Torres-Walker.
Councilwoman Monica Wilson was glad the youth took an idea, made a plan and came to city council while a lot of other people just “sit and home and be mad”.
“You guys had an idea, flushed it out and came to council. I am looking forward to discussing it at the budget session coming soon,” said Wilson. “We should be investing more in our youth. That percentage is way low and we need to shift more dollars to you guys. Thank you for putting us on the spot on that.”
Mayor Lamar Thorpe highlighted since 2012, Wilson had been looking at buildings while he and former Mayor (Sean Wright) met with several groups inviting them to come to Antioch and take over buildings for a program.
“We went to organizations begging, like the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, we begged them to come here,” said Thorpe. “The 24-Hour Fitness, we looked at that because it had a pool, it still sits empty, we begged them to come here and run these operations. We said we would give you the Antioch Community Center and we begged them. We still have the money… there has always been a strong commitment to support youth in our community.”
Thorpe reiterated he was committed to the vision, but wished there was a non-profit provider to have a capacity to move in and take advantage of the opportunity. He stated Antioch could make the investment if they choose too.
“I hope we do get to that point,” said Thorpe who again stated he hoped there was a willing partner.
All Children Thrive (ACT) is a California initiative funded by the Mental Health Services Act, led by Public Health Advocates and the UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families, and Communities. ACT focuses on preventing and mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences by working with cities to establish sustainable policies that prioritize health and racial justice.
Youth ages 10-19 make up the largest population in Antioch – over 17,000 people (14%). As youth violence levels rise, young people face an urgent need for a safe and nurturing environment. A centrally located youth hub would provide intentional youth-inspired opportunities, programs, resources, and services to help them thrive.
This collaboration between YCLS and ACT marks a significant step toward creating a safer, more vibrant, and supportive community for the youth of Antioch.
8 comments
Ironic. The council has the will but Monica Wilson has been working on this for a decade and nothing to show. Thorpe admits he and the former mayor had been working on this. Nothing to show. Torres Walker says she brought it up and nothing to show while pushing it onto the county. Do voters not realize this council has 3 votes and can push this forward because they have the money per Thorpe? Of course Antioch needs youth services but the council is too busy focusing on homeless instead which is a county function, not Antioch.
The City doesn’t have the money, period! Their reserves are at historic lows. This proposal not only has a one-time start-up cost of $3 million, but also an ongoing cost of over $3 million a year. Look at what the city majority have funded on homeless temporary housing, that has taken money away from other city services. Nothing for kids to do? Look at how many parks and ballfields the city has for youth. Look at all the programs run by the Recreation Department that is heavily funded form the city’s General Fund. The AUSD schools are better equipped to provide after school and evening facilities than the city.
Spend the $3.5M towards policing. A program won’t give you a “safe and nurturing environment”, a safe City will.
“…young people face an urgent need for a safe nurturing environment”? Isn’t that what parents suppose to provide? How is this the city’s responsibility? $5M for infrastructure and another $3.5M a year to sustain? It’s a hard no for me.
Wow, they’ve been working on this for over 10 years and it has resulted in absolutely nothing. Meanwhile, in neighboring cities 1/3 the size of Antioch they are building sports complexes and youth centers. Those same cities are attracting businesses and improving the quality of life for their citizens. Yet all Antioch does is bump their gums and make everything personal while accomplishing nothing of real value.
Another “Let’s put this on the agenda, make great statements about it and on to the next ‘go nowhere’ item” … Kind of like when the current council along with past councils dealt with “The Yard” — let’s discuss, spend taxpayer dollars on a Consultant, and do nothing whatsoever.
Electing a new council and mayor won’t solve the problem. Putting consultants on the unemployment line is a good start, and making decisions themselves about items they were elected to do.
So why won’t the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs run a program like this? Why doesn’t the city of Antioch use the community city? Last i looked the city of Antioch has SO many activities for youth in Antioch. A youth center isn’t going to provide a safe environment if the looting, theft, robberies and continued crime continue to increase in the city with no police force to support it. It will become a hub for these activities. Doesn’t Antioch have libraries? Homework help at the schools? Are these things not utilized anymore? Why not look to modernize and incentivize youth to use what’s already existing.
Look out taxpayers, lemar uttered the “investment” word. Whenever a politician uses this word it means spending more money and more taxes. In Antioch’s case there isn’t any more money and approving more dispensaries won’t close the gap. The only way to close the gap is TAXES, PERIOD! This Council majority has already squandered too much money on our vagrant crisis with little to no result. Anytime you get government involved in a social program you can predict failure, there are plenty of examples to cite. This isn’t to say that we as a community need to turn a deaf ear to the needs of our youth. However, if something is to come of this it must be funded through grants and private investment. Advocates and special interest groups cannot keep asking taxpayers to pay the freight on every feel good project that comes down the road. Listen to leaders like Arne Simonson, Antioch doesn’t have the money. Now, if the city wants to redirect the wasteful spending on homelessness projects, enact ordinances that make it uncomfortable for vagrants to pour into our community, begin proactive efforts to control vagrants, begin supporting our Police Department that will lend itself to a safer community and use grants, perment grants that limit the city’s exposure to ever increasing costs associated with creating this program maybe, just maybe this community could get behind it.
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