MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The Child Youth and Teen Center is known for its quality programs, and now with a new facility, the award-winning program can provide even more activities for children on the air station.
The center, located across from the Bob Hope Theater, held its ribbon-cutting ceremony here Feb. 11.
The new Child Youth and Teen Center boasts many upgrades and conforms with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System.
The building has automatic lights, natural lighting from skylights and windows and is designed to be environmentally friendly.
“I’m very excited,” said Diane Anderson, a mother of three. “The old building was small and cramped. We hope that this building will provide more opportunities for our children.”
The facility features larger classrooms, a playground and a re-surfaced basketball court. Staff members have a lounge, training room, full service kitchen and laundry room available to them. Children have a recording studio, game room with video game systems and lounge with flat screen televisions.
“They are going to have a lot more activities,” said Barbra Jinnett, a mother of two. “They will be more protected and the building will be safer.”
The facility features furniture and play equipment specificly designed to keep children safe.
“Its nice to have a building that matches our quality programs,” said Monica I. Romero, the director at the Child Youth and Teen Center.
The center at Miramar is the first Gold Charter Level member of the Keystone Clubs in the Marine Corps, according to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
The Keystone Clubs, founded by the Taco Bell Foundation, are a chartered group of leadership development clubs for young people ages 14 to 18.
The center is unique because it also offers care for infants from six weeks old to teens up to 18, explained Romero.
“The new center is the first of its kind,” said Frank J. Guasti, director of planning and construction with Marine Corps Community Services. “We pushed hard to get a drop-in care program for infants at Miramar.”
The Child Youth and Teen Center will look to add new instructional programs and its new upgrades will benefit the children and the staff, explained Romero.
“We are all very happy and excited,” said Romero.
The Child Youth and Teen Center is a tremendous resource for the community and with this facility it can continue to provide Miramar with excellent service.
For more information or to enroll children at the center, call 858-577-4136.
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