Save Our Youth celebrates its move into a new home: ‘They come here to dream big’
Save Our Youth capped off its move to a new facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.
Earlier this summer, the Costa Mesa-based nonprofit — which provides after-school academic support, arts programming and physical activities for teenagers — began resettling into larger digs at 2045 Meyer Place, near the Rea Elementary School campus where the group had been based for 23 years.
Standing with a small audio box and microphone in front of the new facility, Cesar Cappellini, chairman of SOY’s board of directors, thanked the City Council, community members and volunteers for their support.
“This place is a home for a lot of teens,” he said. “They come here after school to sing, to dance, to study. This is their living room. They come here to dream big.”
After his short speech, Cappellini cut a celebratory ribbon, ushering in a new era for SOY.
SOY’s new campus consists of four portables and a yard for sports.
The main portable features a pool table, air hockey table, office and a large study room.
SOY was forced to move from Rea after the school district decided to turn portions of the campus into a new technology learning center.
SOY’s new space along Meyer is owned by the school district and was once used to house adult education.
During a tour of the facility, Cappellini noted that the walls are decorated with art created by the students. A portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. hangs in the study room.
Photos of smiling teens on a SOY field trip to the beach adorn the walls of the main office. Cappellini said that for most of the kids, it was their first time ever going to the beach, even though they live near the coast in Costa Mesa.
The outside yard that separates the main building from the other portables features a basketball court, fenced-in soccer field and a weight room.
During Wednesday’s party, students danced in the new dance room where volunteers teach classes. Next to it is a music room with drums, pianos, guitars and DJ equipment.
Professional folk musician and volunteer music teacher Eric Auckerman was especially proud of SOY’s vinyl collection.
“Look at this,” he said while pulling out a record of Peter, Paul and Mary. “This is what these kids listen to.”
Auckerman said he tries to expose his students to as much music as possible, and while his students will feel frustration, happiness comes with hard work.
After pointing out that SOY has helped thousands of kids attain college scholarships, Cappellini said, “We still have a lot of work to do.”
Twitter: @benbrazilpilot
