RED BANK — Teens from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County (BGCM) have transformed a former office space into new rooms that will spur their educational programs and expand leadership opportunities in the community.
The Red Bank facility on Drs. James Parker Boulevard features two new rooms that were recently renovated by 14 teens who planned, painted and spackled the walls to their design.
The Teen Center is available for teens to use 6-8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Ronald Smith is a student at Red Bank Regional High School (RBR) and president of Keystone at the BGCM, a teen leadership program for high school students.
“Alot of us worked on it. It was collaboration between everybody. It was hard work because sometimes we didn’t have the materials we needed, but we got it done,” he said.
Many of the decorations that make the rooms stylish and cozy were donated by various local businesses. Prown’s on Monmouth Street donated and installed the blinds while Rent-a- Center in Neptune donated the comfortable couches for the room, which has a flatscreen, high-definition television donated by RBR.
Smith said the project took about six months to plan and was finished in early December.
“We kind of made a few mistakes, but we fixed those and we ultimately got it done, and it was a really good experience for everybody. It was our first big project that we’ve actually done,” he said.
Zakiyyah Godsey, vice president of Keystone, said that even though it was tedious work, she loved the way the rooms turned out.
“Yeah, it was fun. We put our time and effort and memories into it,” she said.
Both Smith and Godsey said they are looking forward to using the space for Keystone.
“In our Keystone meetings we discuss what we want to plan for the community. There’s a pancake breakfast drive to raise some money, and we plan other activities we want to do and when we want to visit the other Keystone clubs in Asbury Park and Clifton,” explained Smith.
According to Juan Lopez, of BGCM, who oversees Keystone activities, the club has to document its work in the community in order to meet requirements that will allow teens to attend the regional and national Keystone meetings.
Every Keystone Club is evaluated and given one of three levels of achievement: silver, gold and platinum.
“Right now we’re just getting silver. We’re just starting off, so right now we’re the baby Keystone,” Lopez explained about the club, whose members have only been together since March.
The Red Bank unit currently has about 20 teens in its high school program and about 25 more in their junior leadership program, Torch Club, which is geared for middle school students.
“As far as leadership skills, it gives them a chance to go out and meet other Keystone groups at national and regional competitions,” said Lopez.
Having more space to toss ideas around and discuss plans for the future is a benefit that will further the process, he said.
“They worked really hard. We’re not talking about kids who don’t have afterschool activities,” Lopez said of the numerous honor students and varsity sports players in Keystone. “Not only do they really dedicate their time here, they have other obligations to pursue.”
Lopez said there was great value in their finishing a project that required time and a collaborative effort.
“It gives the kids a chance to empower themselves and to show what they have to offer and give themselves a chance. A lot of times nowadays we live in a society where a lot of kids are just handed things. They had a chance to build it themselves, so hopefully, as they progress along into their careers, they don’t shy away from anything,” he said.
The BGCMin Red Bank also offers college preparatory workshops and SAT tutoring in addition to helping parents through the financial aid application process.
“We’re for the kids. We want the teens to come here, and not only do we have this safe facility they can go to after school and at night, but we have a ton of programs,” said Jaclyn Boruch, marketing director of the BGCM in Red Bank.
“The Boys & Girls Clubs has always been the safe place for kids, the positive place for kids, but we’ve now expanded to not only a safe place but a place where they can come and really go places in their lives.”
Everyone agreed that the only thing left to do is add photographs and trophies and other memorabilia to fill the walls and empty bookshelves.
“They’re recognized,” Lopez said of the teens. “So that way, when they make it to the NBA or NFL, they can say, ‘Hey, that was me.’ ”