Dream comes true; Morgan City Youth Center is reality

A few weeks ago, young people at the Morgan City Youth Center were racing Pinewood Derby cars. Now the center has shifted gears and is helping kids after school.

The Morgan City Youth Center opened its doors Oct. 28, 2015. It started as a dream of Brenda Ayo and Gwen Ross at the H&B Young Foundation, said Morgan City Court Administrator of Juvenile Services Sandy Nolen.

“It was always a dream of theirs to get the children off the street,” Nolen said.

Nolen formed a planning board to bring the idea of a Morgan City Youth Center into reality.

“It took us two years of planning before we were ever able to get the center open,” Nolen said. “It is a community effort.”

The school board provided a place for the program at Morgan City High School. Grants were provided by the H&B Young Foundation, Taco Bell Foundation, St. Mary Parish Community Foundation, the City of Morgan City, and St. Mary Parish.

“Everybody gave a small grant, so together we were able to actually open this for the kids,” Nolen said.

“It has grown beyond my wildest dreams,” Nolen said. “It just grew out of a dream two ladies had and we’ve moved forward with that dream and now it’s a reality. We’re touching a lot of kids’ lives.”

The center is open to every child that wants to walk through the doors, Nolen said. Teens with special needs are welcome. The program is not affiliated with City Court. Transportation is provided for teens living in Morgan City.

“Anybody that wants to walk through those doors and have a positive experience instead of hanging on the street corner is welcome,” Nolen said. “That’s what we want to do. We welcome any child to be a part of our program.”

Pinewood Derby cars originated as a building and racing project of the Boy Scouts of America organization in 1953. Its purpose is to strengthen bonds and build confidence while working together.

Fifteen teens Morgan City designed and created their own cars. The process started with a plain block of wood, some axles, wheels and weights.

The teens cut, sanded, painted and assembled the cars according to the official Pinewood Derby Racing Rules. Afterward, they put their cars to the test by racing them. Awards and trophies were given out to winners.

“They all came up with all kinds of amazing cars,” said Morgan City Youth Center Coordinator Donna McDonald. “But you know it gave them something they had never done before, a new experience. And they look forward to doing it every year.”

The center hopes that one day they can compete with local Boy Scouts in a derby race.

The youth center is located on the second floor of Morgan City High. All youth of junior high through high school age are welcome.

Mondays and Wednesdays are set aside for junior high students from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. The high school students’ days are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same time.

For more information, contact McDonald at 384-5273.