History
Youth Council Commences
In March of 2001, the Niles Youth Task Force created the Niles Youth Council in response to a 2001 Developmental Assets Study conducted by the Search Institute and the Healthy Communities Partnership.
At that time, the Village of Niles and the Niles Park District collaborated to bring together a group of teens representing each of the six local schools. The original 20 teens were from grades six through eight. Since that time, the teens had several pep rallies, weekly meetings, and participated in the Fourth of July parades.
Opening of the Niles Teen Center
On May 15, 2004, the Niles Youth Council celebrated the official opening and dedication of the Teen Center. The Teen Center offers a safe place for teens to participate in programs and community service, do their homework, meet new people, and relax.
With the opening of the Teen Center, many items were organized including:
The Niles Teen Center received a technical assistance grant from the National League of Cities in January of 2004. The grant supported and directed the Youth Council and Niles Youth Task Force in creating a more organized structure.
The Youth Council created new goals, participated in leadership training, and coordinated meetings. The Youth Council created an executive board and committee structure.
Relocation
In June of 2007, the Village of Niles assumed the sole responsibility of the Niles Teen Center. The Teen Center was relocated to a converted non-retail space at Golf Mill Shopping Center with the goal of attracting greater teen participation, achieving more visibility in the community, and giving greater access to public transportation.
The Niles Teen Center and Niles Youth Council are currently in the process of rebuilding teen membership and increasing cooperation throughout the Niles community.
Increase in Membership
In May of 2008, The Niles Teen Center began to see greater success. The center had a dramatic increase in membership and daily participation. This increase is due to our providing more substantive programming and marketing techniques through the local schools and with Golf Mill Shopping Mall.
In March of 2001, the Niles Youth Task Force created the Niles Youth Council in response to a 2001 Developmental Assets Study conducted by the Search Institute and the Healthy Communities Partnership.
At that time, the Village of Niles and the Niles Park District collaborated to bring together a group of teens representing each of the six local schools. The original 20 teens were from grades six through eight. Since that time, the teens had several pep rallies, weekly meetings, and participated in the Fourth of July parades.
Opening of the Niles Teen Center
On May 15, 2004, the Niles Youth Council celebrated the official opening and dedication of the Teen Center. The Teen Center offers a safe place for teens to participate in programs and community service, do their homework, meet new people, and relax.
Creation & Organization
With the opening of the Teen Center, many items were organized including:
- The donation of equipment, supplies, and furniture
- Creation of a membership form
- Creation of a quarterly brochure with 2,700 copies delivered to all Niles schools and community agencies
- Teen Center organization, rules, and procedures
- Creation of the Niles Youth Council website
- Restructuring of the Niles Free Bus route
- Creation of the Teen Job Connection program
The Niles Teen Center received a technical assistance grant from the National League of Cities in January of 2004. The grant supported and directed the Youth Council and Niles Youth Task Force in creating a more organized structure.
The Youth Council created new goals, participated in leadership training, and coordinated meetings. The Youth Council created an executive board and committee structure.
Relocation
In June of 2007, the Village of Niles assumed the sole responsibility of the Niles Teen Center. The Teen Center was relocated to a converted non-retail space at Golf Mill Shopping Center with the goal of attracting greater teen participation, achieving more visibility in the community, and giving greater access to public transportation.
The Niles Teen Center and Niles Youth Council are currently in the process of rebuilding teen membership and increasing cooperation throughout the Niles community.
Increase in Membership
In May of 2008, The Niles Teen Center began to see greater success. The center had a dramatic increase in membership and daily participation. This increase is due to our providing more substantive programming and marketing techniques through the local schools and with Golf Mill Shopping Mall.