News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
"The schedule we sent home before school closed is already obsolete," said SOAR Director Tom Coffield. "We are scrambling to add more programs to fill the demand."
Coffield reported that over 100 Sisters youth and adults are involved each day in SOAR activities.
"In just three weeks," he said, "we have already exceeded the number of kids we served all last summer."
Local business owners are noticing the effects of the year-old nonprofit organization's programs in Sisters. Bob Grooney of the Gallimaufry commented that the number of youth "hanging out on the busiest corner in town" has dwindled substantially.
Jean Cooper, owner of the Video Corral and City Council President, states that youth seem to have a better attitude.
"They are nice, they're polite and a pleasure to have around," she said, "It's a welcome change."
Cooper's feelings reflect the attitude of the Sisters City Council, which has included SOAR in its new budget.
"This is a program that has a large and direct impact on kids that live in the city," said councilor Gary Miller.
Fifty percent of the youth enrolled in the SOAR after- school latchkey program during the school year were in- town residents, a statistic that got the attention of council members.
The low cost of access fees is a major reason for the success of SOAR's summer youth and adult programs. The twice- weekly swim program is an example of low cost often cited by SOAR advisory council member Colin Adams.
"Where else can you find a program that supervises your child for four hours at just over a dollar an hour?" he reflected.
Coffield noted that "no child is turned away for lack of funds." He explained that he has jobs and responsibilities for such youth so that they can work off their user fees.
This makes the programs costly for the grant- and donation-dependent organization. A new youth sponsorship program developed by SOAR council members, Lei Durdan and Ginger Durdan- Shaw, has already raised an additional $1,200 to help with these costs.
The city has dedicated $5,000 to SOAR and the local Kiwanis Club has equaled this support. The return on this investment is expressed in the SOAR sponsorship brochure, which states, "every dollar we spend now, keeping our young children interested and occupied, saves thousands later, when we, as a community, have to deal with antisocial behavior."
Information about SOAR programs and sponsorship is available at the SOAR office, 549- 2091.
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