March of '95 the Hanford Recreation Department was given the "Golden Opportunity" and $10,000 by the City Manager and City Council to utilize the building that once housed City Hall, transforming it into a Teen Center.

As with many Communities, the cries by teens, "There's nothing to do in town", brought about a strong desire to provide a center for its youth. Hanford's target was on Teens, ages 13 yrs.- 18 yrs. (students going into 7th grade thru the 12th grade) as the local YMCA has a program in place for 6 yrs.- 12 yrs. Between March '95 and the Grand Opening in May '96, many hours and people were brought together to make the Teen Center a reality.

The $10,000 was provided as seed money for building materials to remodel and the purchasing of equipment and supplies. We obviously knew this was not going to be enough funding, so the campaign for more funding began.

We started mailing letters to businesses and service organizations in the community while talking with, and surveying the teens of the community, while also communicating with the local media. Our first major break came from the Hanford Women's Club in the form of check for $1000! As we continued to solicit funds from organizations, the speaking engagements and luncheons became fairly regular and profitable. An average of $500 was typically donated for equipment to be utilized in the Teen Center.

As mentioned earlier, surveys were disbursed to the Jr. Highs and High School students. One class per grade level with questions pertaining to the type of structure the teens would want for the Teen Center, i.e., "Drop-in" vs "Structured Activities" times and days of operation, etc. Other opportunities were made available for teens to have input into the development of the Teen Center.

The Teen Center has now been open for over a year with a daily attendance average of 25 or more. Hours of operation are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. During the winter months we altered the days and hours of operation to Wednesday and Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from Noon to 4:00 p.m. We're undecided if that will happen again for next year.

Some of the activities that can be found at the Teen Center include: pool table, air hockey, fooseball, ping pony, Sony Play Station, Sega Saturn Video Games, big screen TV, computer room and concession stand. The Center has also hosted various events sponsored by the Hanford Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.

Each teen that enters the center for the first time is asked to fill out an information card and signs an agreement to a code of conduct while at the center, thereafter, will sign-in each time. In order to check out equipment the teen must have a current school I.D. card or the Teen Center will make one for them. There is no membership fee. Minimal fees may, however be charged for occasional events and activities.

The Center is a drug and alcohol free environment and considered a safe zone for all those who enter. For more information contact the Teen Center during hours of operation at 585-2591 Monday through Friday, 3:30 - 8:30 p.m. or the Hanford Recreation Department at (559) 585-2528 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.