Posted by Travis Silvas | The County Journal | Charlotte, MI It may be a surprise to some to learn that both the state and national Main Street organizations identified arts and culture as a key strategy to downtown Charlotte’s revitalization efforts. Through extensive research, both organizations concluded the arts and culture have a big presence in Charlotte.
But, how many people are aware of all of the talent in the area? A group of local community members, including representatives from CharlotteRising, CanDo!, Windwalker Underground Gallery, and Charlotte High School students have formed to show that art really is at the heart of downtown Charlotte.
Posted by Travis Silvas | The County Journal | Charlotte, MI The name captures the intent perfectly — Crosswalk Teen Center. Founder Rick Todd envisioned opening a facility that could safely bridge the gap between school and home for teens, a safe place for kids to “come, learn, be and do.” A crosswalk is intended to provide safe passage. So far Crosswalk Teen Center has done the same for a number of local teens.
Todd and a few CTC board members shared some of the facility’s accomplishments with members of Can Do! Wednesday, Oct. 22 as hosts of its monthly meeting. Included in the presentation were stories of how Crosswalk Teen Center has helped bridge the gap between the community and residents of the Eaton County Youth Facility, whom are working their way through the juvenile justice system. The partnership started early in the process when Youth Facility staff member, Jason Beam learned about Crosswalk Teen Center from CTC board member Cindy Hosek. Beam, who takes many of his residents on community service projects every Saturday morning, offered to help with renovating the facility. Posted by Crosswalk Teen Center | The County Journal | Charlotte, MI As fall begins and teens seek to settle into their school schedule, Crosswalk Teen Center continues to provide and pursue ways to assist students in achieving their full potential.
The month of October is packed with opportunities for students to stretch their horizons and try new things. Teens are encouraged to sign-up for classes as soon as possible, due to limited space. Classes include: Posted by Travis Silvas | The County Journal | Charlotte, MI Despite heavy snow and wind chills in the negative 20-degree range, local students dropped in Monday, Jan. 27 to get the first look at the new Crosswalk Teen Center in Charlotte. The event, Crash the Crosswalk, was as much about getting a feel for local needs as it was about introducing the new teen center to the community.
The goal was to gain input from local students as to the kinds of educational opportunities in which they would have an interest, said Crosswalk Teen Center founder, Rick Todd. “I have piles of ideas, but I’m not their age anymore,” Todd said. He estimates 25 or more students “crashed” the Crosswalk, a turnout he was pleased with given the fact that schools in most of Eaton County were closed due to the weather. He said he and the Crosswalk Teen Center board of directors will take the data collected Monday to design programming and establish a calendar before the center’s Feb. 11 grand opening. |
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