Teen Center struggling to keep doors open
Liz Rogers/Observer-Reporter
In this photo from February, Mary Jo Podgurski is shown at the Teen Center with, front row, from left, Kendle Haught, Xavior Burns-Elliott, Malayiah Matthews, Willow Maffio and Hunter Czajkowski; back row, Robert Clark, LaShauna Carruthers, Mary Jo and Christian Messner.
Observer-Reporter
The Common Ground Teen Center at 92 N. Main St. in Washington
Local teens gather for peer education night at Common Ground Teen Center. The first peer educator group of the Washington Health System Teen Outreach program began in 1995.
The Common Ground Teen Center is facing financial challenges, and the popular Washington youth center is searching for ways to avoid closing its doors.
To raise funds, Common Ground plans to hold a Spooktacular Seesaw Marathon on Oct. 30 and 31 – which, undoubtedly, will have its ups and downs.
Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski, director of the teen center, said the center recently lost 50% of its funding.
“We’re in serious financial trouble,” said Podgurski. “Initially, I thought of closing, but I couldn’t let that happen. I thought, ‘You can’t close this, it’s a good place. Young people need this, especially during COVID-19.'”
Common Ground’s annual fixed expenses, including utilities and rent, are $26,000, and the center doesn’t have the money to meet those bills. It currently can’t pay its teen and young adult staff, or provide food for the teens who gather there.
Common Ground launched a Facebook fundraiser this week, and within the first 24 hours, donations topped $4,570.
“The community response has been wonderful,” said Podgurski, who noted that people have stepped up to provide dinners, supplies and snacks for the Common Ground’s teens. “My heart is full, and it makes me feel so good that the community has supported this so well.”
Additionally, the seesaw marathon has 12 sponsors so far, and is accepting sponsorships through Oct. 26.
During a brainstorming session for fundraising ideas, Podgurski’s daughter, Amy Podgurski Gough, suggested the seesaw marathon. It will be held in a grassy area adjacent to the Common Ground at 92 N. Main St., Washington, from 4 p.m. Oct. 30 to 4 p.m. Oct. 31.
Common Ground is seeking volunteers for the fundraiser – youth between the ages of 12 and 19 to seesaw and adults to supervise. Halloween costumes are optional, but encouraged.
Also encouraged by the teens organizing the marathon, said Podgurski, is a BYOB – Bring Your Own Butt Cushion.
Podgurski said 48 teams – each of which must raise at least $20 – will take half-hour turns on the seesaw.
So, it’s unlikely that the Guinness World Record for the longest time spent continuously on a seesaw – 75 hours and 10 minutes, set by two Puyallup, Wash., women in 2004 – is in jeopardy. But it’s likely to be a fun event.
The center plays a vital role for Washington County youths.
Common Ground, which is operated by teens for teens, started in 2008. Since then, more than 2,500 teens have passed through the center, logging more than 33,000 visits.
Liz Glowark, a chemical engineer who served as a peer educator and is a teen center alumni, said the Teen Center changed the direction of her life.
“I owe everything to the Teen Outreach,” said Glowark, 30. “All youth can benefit from the teen center, but for young people who feel alone, this place is a crucial lifeline. This is the resource that empowered me to break the cycles of poverty, addiction, crime and abuse that existed in my family.”
Glowark ticked off a list of memories accumulated during her years at the teen center: game nights, art shows, Rock the Vote, Dungeons & Dragons, summer camps, adult and peer education programs, “feeling connected, belonging, and just having someone who cares.”
During the months Common Ground was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, classes and meetings were held virtually. Among the activities were summer camps, which were attended by nearly 200 12- to- 14-year-olds.
The center reopened last week (visitors must wear masks and follow other social distancing guidelines) and is open from 4 to 8 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
In conjunction with the seesaw marathon, the teens have organized a balance challenge, similar to the ice bucket challenge for ALS, where people send in a 30-second video of themselves balancing any object they choose, along with a $10 donation. The videos will be aired during the marathon, which will be broadcast on Facebook Live.
The teens also started a #SaveCommonGround.
“They’re having a lot of fun with this,” said Mary Jo, “and it’s important to them.”
Note: To participate in the Seesaw Marathon, register on Sign Up Genius. Adult volunteers sign up at https://bit.ly/2RLZzuC. Teens sign up for see saw slot times at https://bit.ly/2RCdnrg. For additional information, contact Amy Podgurski Gough on Facebook or call her at 724-222-2311. Donations made to the Common Ground Teen Center are tax deductible through the center’s longtime partner, Washington Health System Foundation.