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Above photo's are from sites in Slater. The mural pictured at the top of the page is located in our Downtown Veterans Memorial Park &  was painted by area artist Peggy Guest.

Slater youth Center

Local civic groups, churches, volunteer fire department were approached about joining together to develop and organize a youth center. Each sponsoring organization would be represented on the Youth Center Board of Directors, which was to set policy and oversee the operation of the center. The immediate goal was to provide a safe, alcohol and tobacco free facility that would provide recreational opportunities for children from Junior High through High School. The policy was adjusted later to include fifth grade and above when it demonstrated the main users would be the students under the age of sixteen. Initially six churches and civic organizations agreed to participate in this community project. Within six months there were sponsors for every month of the year and individuals and businesses were volunteering donations, time and money to assure that the center was a success.

The city agreed to not charge for utilities for the first year of operation. The city also paid the costs for the remodeling work knowing the center would be used as a ‘community center’ and that it would be available for rentals, at a modest rate, for citizens of the community. Using some of the land that was acquired from the lumberyard, the city upgraded its emergency services and built a new fire station. The new facility allowed the city to move its equipment from a building that was constructed in the early 1900’s.

The local cable provider offered free TV services, a restaurant donated booths and tables, the kitchen was stocked through donations and the local grocer offered to sell the center soda and snacks at special prices. Through such generosity the center was completely self-sufficient within ten months.

Our local and area schools have and remain supportive in the goals and programs offered at the center. Area school’s helped to publicize events and getting information into the hands of students and parents. This has led to individual students, classes and groups to provide the ongoing support needed since the center’s opening. The art students helped with painting and also designed and made the ‘Wildcat’ logo that adorns one wall. The center is nicknamed ‘The Wildcat Den’ in recognition of the public school’s mascot.

Dances are held on a regular basis at the center. Each event is catered to the age group the dance is geared towards. There is always excellent attendance at these special events and it is not unusual for the participants to number several hundred during the quarterly dances. Other sponsoring groups have held ‘movie night’ with a big screen TV, sound system along with free popcorn. The sale of snacks and drinks at the snack bar helps to generate income and is operated by the monthly sponsoring organizations.

Students from the National Honor Society and the A+ Program have volunteered time and energy in helping to keep the center running. Students from several area rural school districts come to Slater every Friday when the center is opened and enjoy the activities and being with other kids their own age. Coaches and teachers have become involved through programs and activities such as the three-on-three street basketball tournament, Parents as Teachers programs and speech and drama contests.

Individuals have contributed through innovative approaches as well. A group of moms started a ‘Young Child Program’ on Saturday mornings for children up to six years old. Learning as well as fun activities provide an opportunity for the children to learn and interact with others their own age and the parents have a few hours to shop or take care of personal matters. Last year some parents joined together to host a ‘Kids New Years Eve Bash’ and it was very well received and attended. Others have taken advantage of the reasonable rental charges ($25 for two hours) to hold birthday parties, wedding receptions, family reunions and other celebrations and gatherings. The same rules that apply towards the youngsters also apply to anyone that rents or uses the center.

The center is also used for many different community and civic events as well. During the 125^th Anniversary of the founding of Slater, the youth center served as one of the most used facilities in the four months of activities. The mascots from the Kansas City Royals ("Slugger"), University of Missouri ("Truman the Tiger") and the Kansas City Chiefs ("KC Wolf") all made appearances and attracted large crowds. The younger children were thrilled to be able to visit with and have their pictures taken with characters most had only seen on television.

The Slater Chamber of Commerce has taken advantage of the facility and expanded programs, increased membership and attendance at monthly meetings. The largest increase was seen when the monthly meeting was moved to the center and attendance increased an average of over 200%. Programs are now presented at most of the meetings and community activities and promotional programs are on the upswing. Most recently, the Chamber and city held its first annual ‘Steve McQueen Day’s’. Slater was the boyhood home of this film star and he remains popular today throughout the world. Almost 3000 visitors came to Slater that weekend to take tours, watch films and documentaries and listen to programs from various speakers. One of McQueen’s biographers attended, as did his widow, stunt double and best friend/ personal trainer. We had visitors come from Japan, Australia and France and guests from thirteen states traveled to be here.

Public and private companies have utilized the center for various purposes. The city has held training for its workers from the electrical, street, wastewater treatment, and public works departments. Area farmers have held meetings to discuss agricultural issues, grain cooperative building and expansion efforts and to recruit interested parties in establishing ethanol and bio-diesel plants in the county. Habitat for Humanity has held informational, promotional and training sessions at the center. The county YMCA has coordinated with the center to offer programs and events for the youth of the community. The Missouri Department of Conservation has booked the facility to offer gun safety programs as well as the mandatory child safety program that is required of all youngsters that wish to hunt.

The Saline County Health Department has also used the center on numerous occasions. They have provided health education classes, tobacco cessation classes, conducted immunizations and have become an active member in the community. They have provided programs for city employees and conducted informational seminars at Chamber of Commerce meetings. Our local state senator and representative have held meetings at the center. These meetings have been informational and have also focused on our local food pantry and area food bank. They provided information on legislative matters and have used the center to stay in touch with local citizens.

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Success for the center was measured in several different ways. Some of the factors that were looked at include: number of children that attend; the number of volunteers; the number of civic/church groups that were willing to be a sponsor; revenue generated; how much use the center received; number of rentals. In every area that has been examined, all the criteria were met or exceeded. Problems have been few and the willingness of the sponsors to continue their effort indicates a need and desire to provide for the children of the community.

The Slater Youth Center has recorded the following statistics regarding its operation, sponsors and usage: