Events keep promises to youth

Tue., May 16, 2006

By Sara Leaming sarale@spokesman.com

Red Wagon Week events

The public is invited to take part in several community events highlighting "Red Wagon Week," a celebration of Spokane's commitment to youth. Here's a list:

Today – The Inland Northwest Mentoring Partnership will be recruiting adult volunteers interested in mentoring youth through various service organizations. To volunteer or get more information, call (509) 533-3259 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday – The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile – with help from Washington State University, the Spokane County Regional Health District and the Chase Youth Commission – will be at Rogers High School, 1622 E. Wellesley Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., providing medical and dental services for children birth to 21. Limited copies of the 2006 Spokane County Physical Health Activities Resource Guide will be available.

Friday – Twenty community organizations will provide information and registration for summer youth activities at the Youth Summer Activity Resource Fair at NorthTown Mall, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Youth Development Network, Spokane Public Schools and Educational Service District 101.

Saturday – Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade starts at 7:45 p.m. downtown.

Sarah Mackey wants to be a marine biologist when she grows up.

But a career exploration quiz she took online Monday at Spokane Falls Community College told the eighth-grader she might be better off pursuing a career as a teacher or a business leader.

“It’s OK, I’ve got lots of time to think about it,” said Mackey, 14. “But this definitely gives me some more ideas of what things I can do.”

Offering ideas was exactly the intent of the event attended by Mackey and about 30 other students from Central Valley School District’s Summit School.

The students were visiting the college as part of Red Wagon Week, a celebration of Spokane-area youth to highlight how the community fulfills the five promises set forth by America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth.

Last fall, Spokane was designated by America’s Promise as one of the nation’s top-100 communities for young people, based on its commitment to these five promises: effective education for marketable skills; caring adults; a healthy start; safe places to learn and grow; and opportunities to help others.

Mayor Dennis Hession signed a proclamation Monday declaring this week a celebration of Spokane’s commitment to the promises.

“Everyone needs to know when they are on the right track, and obviously we are,” said Joanne Benham, director of the Spokane Regional Youth Department, which includes programs in Spokane city and county.

Other events this week include a “Breakfast of Champions” this morning celebrating the 20-year history of the Chase Youth Commission; a hotline adults can call to volunteer with the city’s youth; a summer activity fair; teens reading to younger children; and a daylong summit for youth and adults to discuss ways to improve the health of adolescents. While attendance is limited at some of the events, others are open to anyone.

The events coincide Saturday with the Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade. This year’s parade theme is “Kids are the Key.”

“We are so proud to be a part of this; our city really does have a lot of opportunities for youth,” said Penny Butters, program support supervisor in the SFCC career center.

“I’m amazed at how many kids already know what they want to do,” Butters said. “It says a lot.”