Teens seek Marysville's help

They researched, promoted, and sought funding for construction of a skate park in Marysville.

In November 2010, the above-ground skate plaza — on the southwest corner of Miner Park — had its grand opening, and the youth-led coalition responsible for the project, celebrated their success.

On Tuesday, kids and adult organizers from Sutter/Yuba Friday Night Live and the Reach Coalition of Youth Development said they hoped to continue that success with financial help from the city.

About 35 kids, teens, young adults, and adult coordinators marched from the old Packard Library Building to City Hall to ask the City Council for help fund their future work.

"We have come a long way in the last two years," said Rochelle McCauley, Reach Coalition coordinator, in her introduction to a photo presentation delivered by kids.

The group's programs, which emphasize teamwork, leadership and community organization, help young people to become, "more responsible members of society later in life," McCauley said.

The presentation included demographic information about the area's high unemployment and high school dropout rates, and emphasized a local need for more adult-youth collaborations and activities to prevent kids from troubled futures.

"Now I ask you to stand up with us by helping fund our coalition, giving us the ability to continue making positive changes in our community," said the group's youth president, Rebecca Foss, 16.

A three-year funding request for $9,096 — or $1 per year, per Marysville resident for three years — was part of the presentation.

Funding proposals for the group are not yet formalized and were not under consideration Tuesday.