KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – A youth center in Klamath Falls that’s been operating since 2002 will be closing at the end of summer.
Carmen Pena serves as manager of the Integral Youth Services (IYS) Youth Center on East Main Street.
Pena said she’s worked with a lot of kids at the center over the past 9 years. “A lot of them have come back and done their senior project, coming back with kids of their own.”
However, the youth center will be closing on August 23rd.
“Funding.” explained Integral Youth Services Executive Director Larry Zeilstra. “Bottom line is the funding has never been consistent, and it has been just going down.”
A community fund drive last year helped raise $120,000 to keep the facility open, but those funds are now gone.
“It’s time for us to find a different need to fill,” Craig Schuhmann, IYS Outreach Program Director said. “We know it’s here in the community, we will stay in this community. IYS owns this building, and we’re looking at other options.”
At its peak, 70 to 80 kids a day came to the youth center. Those numbers have dwindled to 25 or 30 a day, due in large part to a new Klamath Falls City Schools after-school program.
Pena says she’ll miss managing the youth center. “Being here for 9 years, I learned a lot of patience and perseverance, and I’ve really grown to like hanging out with kids and being a good positive role model for them.”
While the youth center is closing, Integral Youth Services will continue a variety of other program.
Those include a free summer lunch offering, the Exodus House youth shelter, and homeless education and life skills programs.
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