MTC
Our Mission:
The mission of The Merrimack Teen Center Project is to provide for the youth in the community of Merrimack, New Hampshire, a safe and chemical free facility where teens will have access to services, and social activities that they themselves determine are important. That they, the youth of our community may establish, regulate and contribute to the teen center as to take an ownership in its mission and act as a shareholder in its success.
This mission is the product of an identified need that is explained as follows:
A comprehensive picture of New Hampshire youth and their behavioral trends is captured by the Teen Assessment Project (TAP) Survey that was conducted in conjunction with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension in our Middle and High Schools. Three years ago, the TAP survey was given to approximately 86% of students in the Merrimack School District attending grades 7 through 12. Careful examination of the survey revealed that the Merrimack teens had higher than expected rates of at-risk behavior. Specific concerns are related to alcohol and other drug use, sexual activity, as well as evidence of emotional and psychological instability measured by self-reports of depression and thoughts of suicide.
Current studies show a relationship between having poor grades and participating in problem behaviors like drug abuse, violence and delinquency. The TAP survey reported that over half of our youth (64%) are worried about getting good grades (middle school, 63%; high school, 54%).
According to results of the TAP Survey most local youths feel supported by their community and that their community cares about them. However, only 1 out of 5 teens (21%) feel there is enough fun things to do in their town.
Another survey specific to the concept of a teen center was given to all Merrimack eight grade students at Mastricola Middle School and all students at Merrimack High School in the spring of 2002.
The results of that study show strong support for a teen center in Merrimack. Of all the students who took the survey, 68% said that there was a need for a teen center in town.
The general feeling among Merrimack teens was that there was nothing for them to do in town and that the greatest need was after school between the hours of 2:30–and 6:30. Studies show that these are the hours when most delinquent behavior takes place.
Statistics show that students involved in co-curricular activities have higher grade-point averages, better rates of attendance in school and fewer discipline issues.
While parents are the foremost influences of children, it is also important to remember that the formula for raising healthy kids is even larger than the family. A teen center in Merrimack would serve the entire community by providing a safe and drug-free place for adolescents and young adults.
There are non-monetary quantifiable benefits that can be measured by youth being off the street and in a drug-free environment when they are at the teen center. Benefits such as, parents, town officials, law enforcement, and school staff are less likely to worry about the safety and well-being of youth in our community if they know that they are hanging out in a safe environment.
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