By Susan Motander
For the last several years, there have been youth oriented programs every Friday evening in Library Park. These programs have given young people a destination in the downtown during the Friday night Street Fair. This year, the public services department has worked with the school district, various service clubs, and representatives from the police department’s Chaplain program to launch this important community activity.
Katie Distelrath, recreation manager for the City of Monrovia, outlined the plans for the program this year. The youth leadership academy will start at 5:30 p.m., each Friday, and will last for an hour. At 6:30 p.m., the students in the academy will then help city staff set up the activities in Library Park.
Distelrath said it is still not too late to sign up for the Youth Leadership Academy. Interested young people should contact her via email at atkdistelrath@ci.monrovia.ca.us or Community Services Commissioner Susan Hirsh at atshirsch@monroviaschools.net.
The events in the park will start at 7 p.m., with dinner donated by one of the program’s “generous community partners,” to quote Distelrath.
Youth bands from the community will provide live music from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. While the bands are playing the young people can participate in several different activities including: foosball, pool, ping pong, basketball, air hockey, or arts and crafts hosted by MOFA.
There will even be board games hosted by various mental health partners to promote conversation. The evening will conclude with a DJ playing today’s hits and there will be a dance competition that will have a prize for the best dancer.
Distelrath said the program would not be possible “without the support of the city council, community services commission, the city, our community partners, and Duarte.”
