Many members of our community have heard of the challenges facing students at school and home. For anyone who has children or is involved in area youth activities, our community knows the feeling of loss and helplessness at times. From recent suicides, suicide attempts, peer pressure to drink or use drugs, along with bullying, students face many obstacles that they may not feel they have the resources available to help them. The Sandpoint Teen Center can be that resource for all students from seventh to twelfth grades. The Sandpoint Teen Center is not just a place for the kids to “go play and be wild” after school. It is a thoughtfully organized program that includes (but not limited to) many benefits such as:

n A safe place, drug-free and bully-free environment with limited social media and technology usage allowing students to interact face-to-face

n A free meal each day, usually prepared by the students

n Healthy eating and cooking classes in which after passing the course, each participant earns a food handler’s certificate

n No-cost counseling for students

n Art lessons

n Exercise and sports activities

n Various learning activities such as leatherworking, 3D art projects, camping skills, etc.

n Students participate in community service programs such as cleaning up downtown, snow shoveling for homebound individuals and raking leaves

n Partnering with area churches to provide learning opportunities for the students

The list of opportunities for area students is endless! We are inviting the community and local businesses to participate in the Selkirk Association of Realtors’ first-ever Trek for Teens to benefit the Sandpoint Teen Center (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation). Funds raised by our efforts would be used to help purchase more kitchen equipment, computers, printers and monitors, life skills and extended counseling programs and possibly help them stay in the building they are now renting. Join us for the entire month of May for a walk-a-thon where you ask friends, family, coworkers and others to sponsor you on the trek. You can request a “flat” donation or donations by the step or mile. Keep track of your steps or miles for the entire month, add it up at the end and collect amounts due from your sponsors. All moneys will be due at the Selkirk Association of Realtors’ office no later than June 15, 2016. At that time, totals will be determined and the success stories announced!

Contact the association office at 208-265-2227 or stop by 325 S. Marion Ave., Sandpoint for your sponsor envelope or to find out more information. We are happy to deliver sponsor envelopes to larger groups. Thank you in advance for helping support our Sandpoint Teen Center!

A special “thanks” to the 2016 Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class and Selkirk Press, Inc. for helping make this happen.

STEPHANIE RIEF

Sandpoint

Selkirk Association

of Realtors

association executive