"This program is so much needed for our kids."
That's what Area Director Lori Timko thinks of the International Young Life program that she has brought to Winnemucca in an effort to reach hundreds of teens by providing safety, fun, mentoring, socialization, love, hope, direction, guidance and encouragement.
Timko, who brought Kaia F.I.T. to Winnemucca, said she "felt a calling" to start something new - something for the teens. She herself has five children and feels that the high rates of drinking and drug use in Humboldt County make a program like this necessary.
"We are reaching out in a healthy way to help build a healthy community," Timko said.
The Young Life program kicked off Monday night and will have "clubs" the first, third and fifth Monday of every month at 6:42 p.m. (Timko said they didn't want to pick just any old time - she wanted it to be unique). Clubs will be held at the recreation center.
The main theme of each club will be fun, according to Timko. Any high school student is welcome to show up and participate in the activities that Young Life has in store. Timko gave some examples of the games and activities teens can look forward to: the Lifesaver game - in pairs, one partner licks Lifesavers and tries to get as many as possible to stick to their partner in the allotted time; four legged races; the Lucky Charms game - the teens have to extract the marshmallows from a bowl of cereal using only their mouths with their hands tied behind their backs; and a game that involves each teen removing one shoe, tossing it in the middle of a circle and then the lights go out and a strobe lights comes on while they try to retrieve the correct shoe.
"We have amazing fun," Timko said.
Timko said one of the key aspects of the clubs is to get every single teen involved in some way. Everyone participates, she said. Although fun is a huge component of the clubs, its also about providing teens with a safe environment to be themselves and a positive message.
"Our efforts are all geared toward good choices," Timko said. "We help them grow and become a good part of society."
Timko said one of the key principles of Young Life is the adults go into the teens' world, rather than the other way around. There are no preconceived notions or judgments toward the teens; rather, they are given every opportunity to succeed.
"We enter the world of teens with no expectations of who they should be but with every hope of what they can become," she said.
Young Life Winnemucca leadership consists of Timko, committee member Shelly Smith and leaders Michael Kubel, Jose Galvan, Angelina and Justin Moore, Carla and Cole Wilbur, Michael Timko and Richard Schofield.
Leaders go through a screening process that involves a background check, driving test and training before they can lead the group.
Young Life Winnemucca is a 501(c)3 non profit and is funded solely through donations and grants. So far Timko has funded the group out of pocket because she feels its presence is so important. The group is officially set up as a non profit with a tax code now and community members who would like to support Young Life can make 100 percent tax-deductible donations online at www.younglife.org under "donations" and Winnemucca's code (NV53).
Young Life was founded in 1940 and is active in 90 countries. It serves as an international outreach program to teens.
Anyone who would like more information about the local Young Life organization can contact Timko at (775) 455-5145.
Contact Jessica Powell at j.powell@winnemuccapublishing.net.[[In-content Ad]]
