New youth center opens thanks to Army Family Covenant project

By Sara Goodeyon and Karl Weisel (USAG Wiesbaden Public Affairs)March 25, 2009

New youth center opens thanks to Army Family Covenant project
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
New youth center opens thanks to Army Family Covenant project
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Aaron Chapuis of U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden's Child Youth and School Services, describes the $1.25 million spent to build the new youth center in Hainerberg Housing during the grand opening as Col. Ray Graham, USAG Wiesbaden commander, and youths c... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WIESBADEN, Germany -- A new $1.25 million Youth Center, partially funded by Army Family Covenant, has been unveiled in the Hainerberg Housing area. It is the first to open of many new quality-of-life facilities planned for U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden's ultimate transformation.

More than 100 young people gathered at the center for the March 17 grand opening. They were all eager to get a look at the center which they helped design.

"We asked you what you wanted," said Col. Ray Graham, USAG Wiesbaden commander, as he addressed the crowd before the ribbon cutting ceremony. "You're going to see something that definitely doesn't look military."

"New features at the Teen Center include an enhanced computer lab, new dance floor, handicapped accessible restrooms, new food serving stations, a new Intercom system, nine flat screen televisions and the ability to feature various programming throughout the center," said Patrick Hoban of Child Youth and School Services.

Graham said the center was another positive result of the Army Family Covenant - the Army's focus on improving the quality of life for Soldiers and their families.

"Army leadership understands that the center has to offer something better than what the teens have at home," said Aaron Chapuis of Child Youth and School Services. "The Army Family Covenant paid $100,000 for new furniture. We've done our best to give them a very attractive facility."

Several teens were especially proud to be part of the new Teen Center's opening. As guests wandered through the new facility, Jamie Riggin and friends grooved to the sound of an original song composed and recorded by Riggin, Robert Merceron, Denisha Jackson, Phillip Tross and Steven Mason.

Riggin explained that the youths recorded the song for Black History Month. "Basically it's saying we're all equal - we all have something to give to this world."

The new facility will soon feature a recording studio for youths to continue expressing their talents, according to Hoban. "They'll be able to do some pretty neat things."

Feedback on what teens wanted in a youth center was gathered in several ways. "We have Keystone Club, Torch Club and a Youth Council," said Chapuis. "There is also a European Teen Panel. They have a teen forum, and they do a survey." All of those resources were used to discern the amenities teenagers desired to have at a youth center.

"The young people know that there is a lot of technology here," said school liaison officer Peter Witmer. "They know we have the music room and the flat screen televisions. The real advantage is that there are just more options. The lighted courts and the Wii games get kids moving."

Chapuis said the center will be open from school-dismissal until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 9 p.m. on Fridays and from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and non-school days. The center will be closed on Saturdays when there are CYSS field trips.

"We can help these teens academically, athletically and socially," said Chapuis. "We have snacks, homework assistance and a lot of trips planned. It is tailored to them."