I was fortunate enough to have attended the Boys and Girls club here in Homer for most of my childhood, and losing that central location for youth has left a huge void for kids in the community. Many have hoped to see a youth center open in Homer for years, but have watched woefully as many such establishments close down, even while building after building goes up. Rumors have swirled in Homer for a while about a venue along these lines, but as year after year passes entire generations of Homer youth have been shorted on accessible recreation and socialization opportunities with their peers. In talking with youth, I have heard unanimous support for a spot where they could go after school during the long winter months to toss a frisbee or shoot basketball, where they can go to use the computer, read a book or create art in a calm environment they may not have access to. Places like our schools or public library have taken the brunt of this role, but they are limited in space, funding, resources and energy.

It is critical for communities to foster what sociologists call the “third space.” That is a place away from your home and your work (or school for kids) where people can congregate to socialize, recreate and connect with those around them and their community at large. They are influential for mental and physical wellbeing, a sense of overall belonging, and help to nurture a vibrant and neighborly community. This is especially important for children as they learn to navigate the world around them and figure out what kinds of hobbies, crafts, activities or sports they are interested in. In the modern day and age where phone addiction and related isolation are connected to higher rates of anxiety, a fun and inviting environment for kids greatly aids in preventing negative outcomes by promoting healthier behaviors. An accessible space for youth is a grassroots prevention strategy. It sounds simple because it is: give children easy, fun, healthy options, and watch them thrive as common teen issues like mental health disorders, loneliness or addiction greatly decrease.

Furthermore, many parents can’t afford to send their kids to take part in an expensive hobby every day. Economic accessibility is a premium when talking about a demographic which is not yet working age, and a youth center in this community is an investment we should all welcome with open arms. As we foster a supportive environment for our little ones, we will create more sports teams, artists, tradesmen, musicians, performers, athletes and creators for our community to root for and support in their journey. And as they are nourished in their journey by such a community, they will be more likely to invest back into such a place which nurtured them as they reach adulthood.

Luckily, there is an effort in Homer now to create such a place. The Youth Activities Network has recently been created, made up of a variety of community members with experience in recreation and youth activities. Rather than recreating the Boys and Girls Club, the panel is working towards creating our own Homer-grown solution. The goal is to create a safe and supportive environment for youth to get the care they need during out of school times. It is an exciting pursuit, and seeing the wheels begin to turn is inspiring.

I owe a lot of thanks to the Boys and Girls Club we once had in Homer. It is where I met a young boy who just moved to Homer from Japan and was looking for friends. Over a dozen years later, he remains one of my dearest friends. It is where I ate countless snacks after school when my pre-pubescent frame so desperately needed the extra calories. A soft spot still remains in my heart for those flavor blasted Goldfish. It is where a fearful boy once felt safe and comfortable enough to let a tarantula crawl across his hand. It is where — while my parents were still hard at work — I had a safe location to play, create and socialize for a few hours every afternoon. It is where Kelly somehow, some way, corralled thirty to fifty kids into circle time, where we shared stories, items or future events. It is where I learned the term “solar emergency.” When it’s a beautiful sunny day, you drop everything and go outside. Every kid deserves the right to a space which helps nurture their spirit, and it is up to us adults to create a place which does so. Our little hamlet has a lot of caring people that are excited to see a project of this magnitude come to fruition, and I love seeing everyone gather together to do so.

Joe Ravin serves on the Youth Activities Network Advisory Panel, and is a lifelong resident of Homer with a passion for community building and accessible recreation.