Community Center

  • Supplies: Chairs, dumbbells, music

    Adaptations: Room with space, wheelchair accessible

    Instructions: Have certified fitness instructor lead class of exercises - tailor to population (ex. chair exercises for seniors)

  • Supplies: large room, music

    Instructions: have dance instructor (possibly volunteer) give dance lessons to adults and teenagers

  • Supplies: Watercolors or oil paints, canvases, paint brushes, large table(s)

    Instructions: Have experienced teacher (possibly volunteer) lead painting class. Offer to hang and showcase completed artwork at the community center

  • Instructions: Responsible parent volunteer can teach and lead discussion with teenagers about important issues, and developing character.

  • Supplies: board games, chips and dips, and/or crackers and cheese, and drinks.

    Instructions: participants can play games with each other while snacking.

  • Instructions: participants can talk about a previously chosen book to read, discussing its topics, lessons, and subjects of interest.

  • Instructions: group members are led by a qualified mentor, discussing issues, and healthy ways to handle difficulties with family members who are addicts.

  • Supplies: Large TV with internet connection and movie channels like Disney, or a DVD player and family movie of choice; popcorn and sodas

    Instructions: Families can enjoy a fun movie while snacking.

  • Supplies: computers and Microsoft Office software.

    Instructions: a qualified teacher can instruct participants on how to use software, and they can print and bring home a “certificate” of what they have learned using MS Word.

  • Instructions: a qualified teacher (possible volunteer) can lead a class on personal finance - discussing the importance and basics of budgeting, managing debt, and investing.

  • Have professional landscaper advise participants on how to arrange their yards and gardens.

  • Instructions: have event for the community catered with bar-b-que cooking.

  • Supplies: Easter eggs filled with chocolate.

    Instructions: have staff and/or volunteers hide eggs in a large, grassy, area. Have youth search for and collect the eggs.

Setting Considerations

  • It can be vitally important to get to know community members, and their wants and needs. This can be accomplished by reaching out, with a survey, before scheduling activities, as well as having events that bring the community together.

  • You may also want to meet periodically with a community advisory board, for ideas and handling issues.

  • To help grow your programs and activities, you may want to develop partnerships with other community organizations.