Oct 19, 2023 5 min read

Our Common Ground Teen Center (92 N. Main St. in Washington) will host its fourth annual 24-hour Seesaw Marathon from 4 p.m. Friday through 4 p.m. Saturday. Our daughter, Amy Podgurski Gough, created this fundraiser during the pandemic in 2020. She reasoned seesawing was the perfect distancing exercise!

Our Teen Center is staffed by teens, with Peer Educator alumnus Landan Weakland as our supervisor. Young people serve on our Teen Executive Board and plan daily clubs and activities, which are facilitated by teens! This is a perfect fundraiser for the center since it is teen-driven and teen-run.

We asked a few teens to share what the Teen Center meant to them. I know and respect these young people – they are the best of the best and represent only a sample of the teens who make the center a vibrant, thriving place. Stop by during our marathon – we treasure your support.

Lizzy Brison (17) – To me, the Teen Center was a source of hope for me in a very hard time. When I first entered the Teen Center, I was facing a dark time and trying to sort out my mental state to no avail. I hadn’t had a therapist for seven years, and I hadn’t spent much time socializing with other people, resulting in a lack of an outlet during a time (COVID) when I desperately needed one. The Teen Center actually helped me train my service dog, a device that saves my life practically every day. I have no idea where I would be without the Teen Center, and I am so appreciative I found it.

Elizabeth Engle (16) – The Teen Center is important to me because I enjoy meeting new people from a variety of backgrounds and getting to know them better via conversation. Teenagers can visit and feel comfortable without fear of judgment.

Isabella King (13) – The Teen Center matters to me because it is a place where I can communicate my thoughts and feelings without judgment. I feel as if I am heard instead of ignored or unimportant.

Aujalae Lyle (16) – The Teen Center is important to me because I feel welcome there. I don’t feel out of place or like no one wants me there. Everyone is friendly and they make it a safe space.

Brycen McAdoo (16) – The Teen Center is important to me because it is a place where I can be comfortable in my own skin and feel like I’m gonna be okay – even if nothing goes right it’ll turn out fine.

Katheine McKinnis (18) – The reason I love the Teen Center is because it is a safe and loving place for teens to come and have fun. It is also a place for teens to grow and become responsible adults. We do fun activities every day that bring everyone together.

Shelly Reese (14) – The Teen Center is important to me because it is a safe space where no one picks on anybody for anything maliciously and it’s nice to catch a break from that sometimes. Last year I got made fun of by someone or another almost every day and at the Center I was able to recharge so I could go out and face it all again next week. Also, the message the Center gives about everyone being a person of worth helped me not to get as down when people picked on me.

Cassandra Rudy (16) – Since becoming cyber schooled in 2021, I’ve searched for somewhere to belong and feel safe with my peers. The Teen Center gives me a safe space to make friends and be included. If I ever have had a bad day or need to escape home for a few hours, I know Landan is always there to support me. The Teen Center always gives me things to look forward to and keeps me going.

Ele Sickman (14) – I would say that the Teen Center is very important to me because they have very welcoming people. It is a fun place to go, and you can even become part of the staff there when you are 16. There are so many activities to do, like cooking, D&D, anime, and much more! Thank you, Mary Jo!

Irre Sickman (15) – The Teen Center is important to me because it is a safe fun place for teens. The Center is also important to me because it gets me to make new friends.

Lynzi Smith (16) – The Teen Center is important to me because it gives me a safe place to go when I feel alone. I always know I’ll never be judged after I walk in those doors. I feel important and worthy when I am there.

Car’Lyiah Walden (16) – The Teen Center matters to me because it gave me a place to not have to worry about what might be happening at home or at school.

Anonymous (17) – The Center has been a great place for me to meet new friends! There are all kinds of different events there and constantly things to do. If you want to meet new people and have a fun time, I’d highly recommend the Common Ground Teen Center.

Anonymous (15) – The Teen Center is important to me because I know people here won’t judge me and I can have fun.

Have a question? Send it to Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski’s email podmj@healthyteens.com.