Ethan Hoagland
As the sun started to set and temperatures dipped into the 40s, dozens flocked to Sweet Home’s Skate Park on Long Street, Wednesday, Nov. 15. While some were there to skate, others were there to give and receive community support.
Part of the Skate Park After Dark event series, and in commemoration of National Runaway Prevention Month, Jackson Street Youth Services hosted a Karaoke night at the park. While singing stole the show, the event sought to serve a need: warm clothes, hygiene supplies and hot chocolate for disadvantaged community members. Serranos Taqueria provided burritos to serve at the event.
“The tag line is we’re trying to shine a light and bring an end to youth homelessness,” Communications and Event Coordinator Ben Martens said as a young child sang along to Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” in the background. “So we’re gathering to do these cool outreach events in skate parks across the Mid-Willamette Valley.”
Youth homelessness is a significant problem, according to Sweet Home city officials who told the Governor during her tour of the FAC shelter that there are about 400 kids experiencing homelessness in the city. That number includes kids who are staying with a friend. The low barrier FAC shelter in Sweet Home currently does not allow children to stay at the facility.
“We’re growing,” Martens said when asked if Jackson Street Youth Services was looking at establishing a youth shelter in Sweet Home. Currently, they have 24/7 shelters in Corvallis and Albany. They opened their Corvallis shelter more than 20 years ago, in 2001.
“We started as just one small spot in Corvallis,” he said. “We now have two youth shelters with 26 beds, a bunch of youth transitional housing. We have four units in Albany and Corvallis. And yeah, we’d absolutely love to grow more.” The 24/7 shelters in Albany and Corvallis serve youth ages 10-17. On top of beds, the shelters help connect youth with medical and mental health services, as well as family mediation.
For 11-year-old Sweet Home community member Sebastian, the event was more than an opportunity to find himself socks for the coming winter.
“I came out to get my friend some clothes, because she doesn’t have very many clothes right now,” Sebastian said as he colored on a shared piece of artwork that Jackson Street Youth Services brought along. “I’ll probably grab her a burrito on the way out.”
For neighbors Bill and Jackie Gale, the skate park and events like this are a front row seat for community spirit.
“We just wanted to come and check it out, support the community,” Bill said. “We’ve never had any problems with the skaters, so we like to come out to support.”
“I think it’s a really good idea,” Jackie said.
It’s not the first time Jackson Street Youth Services has held a Skate Park After Dark event at the Sweet Home park, but the last time the Gales remember it was completely rained out.
The program might be familiar to community members outside the skate park. Donned in yellow hoodies bearing the organization’s name, outreach members come to Sweet Home once a week to hand out cold kits, dental kits and other resources.
It wasn’t just kids receiving resources. Several families came to take clothes and warm up with hot chocolate, as did numerous adults.
As the booming voices of kids singing along to their favorite pop songs filled the November night air, Skate Park After Dark demonstrated that community outreach and fun can ride along hand in hand.