DIXON – An initiative to start a youth center still is searching for a name.
Steve Wilson, building manager at Loveland Community House & Museum, said a contest in Dixon schools to name the center fell through, so the group is taking any and all ideas.
Once the youth center has a catchy name, Wilson said the group will launch a Facebook page about the initiative. Members also plan to walk in the Petunia Festival parade and hand out fliers with information on their efforts.
Wilson was inspired by a column written by senior Trevor Mixen in the Dixini, the Dixon High School student newspaper. The headline to the article read: "Places to go and things to do – not so much."
Ideas for the youth center have ranged from opening up a hangout with a cafe to building a skate park. More ideas included movie nights, dances, a teenage band scene, incorporating art projects and using the facility for foster family visits.
State's Attorney Anna Sacco-Miller and Dixon YMCA CEO Andrew McFarlane are among those supporting the idea.
A similar effort in Sterling, spearheaded by Sterling Township, resulted in a club called GPA – Giving Power to Adolescents – which now has its own youth center in a former downtown church.
The Dixon group canceled its meeting this week because of the Memorial Day holiday; it will meet again Monday.
"We still could use as many people as we can get," Wilson said. "We're going to start looking at grant writing and doing research to get grants."
To participate
To suggest a name for the Dixon youth center, contact Steve Wilson at swilson@lovelandcommunityhouse.org or 815-284-2741.
The group next meets at 7 p.m. Monday at Loveland Community House and Museum, 513 W. Second St. Plans are to meet weekly.