Community members decry that Lebanon City needs more opportunities for youth, specifically referring to children between the 7th – 12th grades. I have to agree; however, I think we can take clear, recognizable, and reasonable steps as a community to turn things around for Lebanon City youth.
Youth engagement has been an evolving issue for a long time. However, the demand for solutions has become even more critical in recent years. As the population of Lebanon City continues to grow, so does the numbers of city youth. Today, approximately 5,300 students are enrolled in the Lebanon School District; that does not account for home-schooled students or those who attend private or cyber charter schools. Additionally, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 Education Report of Lebanon School District’s fairly expansive student population, it is estimated that 90% of students are considered economically disadvantaged, and approximately 30% of students drop out before graduating high school. Therefore, facilitating youth in safe, structured, and welcoming environments is crucial if Lebanon hopes to raise its next generation of community members and build a thriving community for all.
Ultimately, Lebanon struggles with the pressing issue that we no longer have easy access to traditional “after school hangout” spots. We do not have activities such as a bowling alley, ice/roller skating rink, arcade, community pool, zoo, etc. And although there has been significant progress made to restore some outdoor recreation areas and basketball courts, not all youth are athletically inclined, nor is the weather suitable outdoors during a good portion of the year. The lack of engaging activities for young people makes finding safe places for (wholesome) socialization (especially during the winter months) incredibly challenging.
As I began to take a more in-depth look at the issue of social and cultural opportunities for youth in our City, I first discovered that finding information about available programs is not necessarily easy or accessibly found. While several organizations offer “youth programs,” many are poorly advertised and follow a narrowly structured model. And while there are several organizations that host/offer youth-related programs sporadically throughout the year, intermittent events cannot take the place of places and programs specifically dedicated to our City’s youth all year long.
The YMCA once had a thriving after-school and summer youth program. However, that program has been inoperable for more than two years. Logically, there is no other facility within city limits that is more strategically located and better equipped. Yet, there appear to be no active programs, and the link for youth activities on the website has been disabled. The YMCA says they are currently looking for a new Youth Director, but that search appears to have been going on for quite some time with little success.
Outside of organizations such as the YMCA, most youth opportunities that are available to students in Lebanon City are church youth groups. These youth groups offer a safe environment for boys and girls; however, they cannot reach everyone equally – in addition to usually being held only one night a week, many in our City are hesitant to send their children to programs with overtly religious themes that quite possibly stray from the parent’s religious beliefs.
In the past, our State Senator and Representatives (for example, Chip Brightbill) have worked to obtain grants for the school district to run some special programs, especially for struggling students. However, since Senator Brightbill left office, the City has lost these grant opportunities. Currently, teachers can host their own after-school programs, but the school district does not have a budget for this, so teachers who want to host a program must donate their time and figure out the costs on their own.
Another major issue for many of our city youth is the lack of transportation. While there are always exceptions, and some students do “roam the streets,” most of our youth come from homes where their parents work multiple jobs or 10-hour shifts. As a result, they do not allow their children to walk around alone in the City, especially after dark. The public bus system is a relatively simple fix to the transportation issue. However, finding information about getting a bus pass is surprisingly difficult to obtain. While it is available, there is no program where young people can learn how to use the bus system or enable them to receive a low-cost or free student bus pass.
As we look to solutions, the City’s most significant issue has been finding the money to develop consistent programs for youth. The majority of our City’s residents have shown concern for this issue. Most people agree that we need more in Lebanon City for our youth. Therefore, we need to hold our elected officials accountable. Call Senator Gebhard and Representatives Diamond and Ryan and let them know this is important to you. Ask them what they have brought and plan to bring to Lebanon City. After all, they work for you!
Furthermore, with the recent $1,000,000 grant opportunity for non-profits offered by the City, one would hope that the selection committee would prioritize programs that will positively impact City youth. Possibly, our Mayor and City Council or County Commissioners could designate another portion of the sizable ARPA grants they received to go toward youth initiatives, as well. One obvious standout might be funding for the YMCA Youth Center Director position and increased activities for youth at the YMCA. In addition, the YMCA’s skate park is a popular hangout for teens; however, it is more often closed than it is open. It would be nice to have a specific remedy for this.
A revitalization of the Parks and Recreation Department at some level, at least over the summer months, would be a way to offer youth places to participate in organized and structured activities as they did in the past. College students who are home for the summer months would make great leaders for this. Besides that, addressing the transportation issue would benefit our students. Any student who presents a valid, school-issued ID should be able to ride the city bus for free. This would enable our youth to access jobs and activities outside the City’s limits.
Additionally, neighborhood community-building events benefit everyone. If some of our existing organizations instituted after-school programs that specifically take place in various neighborhoods throughout the City (such as outdoor art classes in the summer or free neighborhood-based meals in the winter), we would be able to emphasize the importance of community, which would help students in the environments in which they are most vulnerable. Focusing on individual community programs (neighborhood to neighborhood) would help the City develop a stronger sense of community and specifically help students in the environments where they spend the most time.
Another considerable help we could offer our City’s youth would be establishing a Youth Career Development Officer. This could be a year-round, part-time role operating out of the Lebanon Community Library or another downtown public space where high school-aged youth could come to receive guidance in preparing for college, investigating options, developing a resume, finding jobs, filling out applications, attending job fairs, and more. After speaking with many young people in our community, I have learned that many 14 – 17-year-olds would like to be employed. They have aspirations for their futures but lack the guidance they need to succeed.
Ultimately, until we can find new businesses to come and fill the “activity” void that Lebanon is struggling with and address the issue of accessible transportation for youth, we will have to find innovative ways to work with and empower our students. The issue of our youth is not something that can wait until another day. Our local leaders and organizations should prioritize these initiatives. Studies suggest that in countries that have an abundance of structured after-school activities, students are less likely to get into trouble, tend to perform better in school, are less likely to use illicit substances, and generally have better mental health. Well-positioned youth ultimately benefit everyone.
Author: Alisher Aminov
