Youth Recreation/Skateboard Park

Brown County Illinois' Youth Involvement Action Team is working together and with others to provide healthy recreational opportunities for youth. We are taking the lead in maintaining and enhancing our parks, looking for ways we can contribute to the betterment and pride of our community.

In 2005 the University of Illinois Extension-Adams/Brown and the United Way of Brown County joined together to facilitate an "Action Plan" to address issues identified in a 2005 Brown County Needs Assessment. They invited the entire community to be a part of this process. To take action on these issues, citizens signed up to be active in one or more of 6 Action Teams: Youth Involvement, Housing, Economic Development, Education & Schools, Health & Social Services, and Community Betterment. These teams consist of ordinary people of all ages working together to find ways to implement the recommendations of the Brown County Needs Assessment Report so that Brown County becomes a place where people will want to live, work and play. All are welcome and hundreds are involved. The Action Teams have been meeting for almost two years. Youth services and concerns were among the highest ranked priorities in the list of community improvement issues. The Youth Involvement Action Team requests your support as they continue their efforts in addressing the important needs of their county.

Brown County, IL is a small, rural, low income, farming community of approximately 5000 residents. Although we have limited financial resources, we are blessed with a volunteering spirit amongst our citizens. The Brown County Action Teams (BCAT) and Community leaders are working together to address major issues identified in the 2005 Needs Assessment. Every first Monday of each month, official meetings are held at our county's middle school. All Action Teams meet together for the first 1/2 hour to share ideas with the entire group and report on each team's progress. We then break out into our specialized action teams to strategize on our individual team's goals. Meetings are open and advertised to the public. You can stick with one action team, hop to another, go back and forth, work on one area of focus or many. Many of our goals and plans overlap. All have the common goal of improving our county. In the week following the BCAT meeting, a steering committee meets to find ways to further empower the action teams to action. This often involves making introductions and connections with outside people and funding sources who/which can help the teams achieve their goals. The steering committee provides that additional energy to maintain the momentum. Our local weekly community newspaper partners with us reporting on BCAT's plans and accomplishments.

Late in 2005, the Youth Involvement Action Team conducted a survey in grades 6 - 12, asking what they would like to see in Brown County. Topping the list were parks and recreational /entertainment facilities. The survey results prompted the team to research movie/ performing arts theatre, skate board parks, and also the needs of our local park district. Fund raisers have been held to financially support projects such as a Youth Service Day held on April 21st. On this day they installed a block retaining wall, planted two large trees and flowers at the community pool and made a documentary of the event. They have done landscape maintenance at our Veterans Grove Park as well as at our local Veterans War Memorial. Working with the High School industrial arts class, they built planter boxes which were placed at the center of town and filled with flowers. They maintain those, too. The Park Board has welcomed the Youth Involvement Action Team as a valuable resource involving park maintenance and new additions. The American Legion and Women's Auxiliary have also asked our team for help. Recently the team donated items for a silent auction being held to raise money for our community emergency services building. The Action Teams have been recognized by our local government as well as at the state level. Congressman Ray Lahood met with all Action Team facilitators recently and acknowledged our efforts. We are making a difference!

I am a 45 year old wife, mother of 3 boys, ages 12 to 20, self-employed and the Youth Involvement Action Team Leader. Having the privilege to lead this group is truly an inspiration. I have witnessed the youth lend a helping hand where needed, become aware of important issues that affect our community and our world, and, most importantly, take action and make a difference. They have continually demonstrated self worth and value to their community. The more our youth are seen making a difference, the more our action team's attendance grows. Their ages range from 13 to 17. Numerous adults are working side by side with the youth as well. The money through this grant would allow action to be taken in addressing the issues and needs already deemed important, specifically safe and healthy ways for youth recreation. Our little community lives without many assets larger communities can offer and any opportunity for healthy recreation brings a positive attitude, self worth and pride. This Youth Involvement Action Team is leaving the world better than they found it, is looking for the best in others, and is giving the best they have. It is real.