New blood infuses WC Family Center with blush of life

Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The recently closed Wallowa County Family Youth Center is experiencing a rebirth as the Wallowa County Family Center.

The WCFYC board has accepted a proposal from Neil Isley of Point of Connection for his group to act as activities directors for the new center, which will hold a Grand Opening New Year’s Eve Party Thursday, Dec. 31.

Although Point of Connection is a ministry, Isley emphasized that there will be no preaching at the center. Rather, he said, his group’s goal is “to have a place where healthy family relationships happen. There isn’t another place in the county where you can go and have a broad spectrum of things for everyone in the family to do – it’s our goal to become that place.”

Isley and volunteers recently were busy installing big screen televisions for two Wii stations, another big screen television for music videos and Karaoke, a video projection system and surround sound for a movie theater with recliner-seats, a popcorn machine, a weight room, a nursery and nursing room, two libraries (one self-help and bible and archeological research, one fiction and recreational reading).

The center also will have foos ball, air hockey, pool tables, pin ball, board games, card games and conversation areas where visitors can sip fruit juices, soda or a latte. Super Bowl parties and sporting events will be shown on the big screens for the entire family to enjoy.

Family photos brought in by folks who enjoy the center will decorate the walls and a big mural of a refrigerator will welcome artwork and other items done by the kids of the county.

“All costs are covered by donation,” said Isley. “If you have $2 for a cappuccino, throw it in. If you can afford more, that’s great. But if you can’t afford anything, it doesn’t matter. There are plenty of people out there who can write a check for our organization’s entire budget for a year and not even miss it – that’s just a question of finding the right grants. But what I really want is for this to be everyone’s project. If everyone in the county donated $10 we’d have $75,000.”

Another way to invest in the center is to volunteer, Isley said. Special social services training will be provided for volunteers.

There will always be adult supervision on-site, Isley said – and not just for the kids. “I want people in crisis to think, ‘Oh, yeah, that place is good. Those people will know what to do.’ Maybe by just being in a positive atmosphere people will notice that issues they were dealing with are going away.”

Two 12-step programs have already scheduled meeting space in the building.

“My philosophy in a nutshell is this: in a healthy family, if you spill something you clean it up,” Isley said. “In a healthy family you will hurt people around you, it’s a fact of relationship, but there’s a correct way to deal with that. That’s what we’re going to model here.

“Do I expect that the Wii is going to have some (sharing) problems? Sure. We all fought with our brother’s and sisters – but that doesn’t mean we don’t love them. We’ll learn to work through problems, here.”

Isley welcomes ideas along with volunteers. “My goal is that this building will be used every night and every day except Sunday – I want people to spend Sunday with their family,” said Isley. “If people have ideas, really, the sky is the limit. Call me and tell me what you want.

“I see great things here. We’ve been getting a lot of support from the WCFYC board, but this needs community involvement. I can’t change this center into a functioning organism without the help of other people, whether it be financially or volunteer.”

Long range plans include softball, football and soccer fields and summer concerts.

For a sneak peek preview, volunteer to help prepare the building for the Grand Opening by showing up for the Dec. 19 work party. All volunteers will be given a free Christmas wreath, donated by Enterprise House and Flying Cloud Gifts – until they are gone.

The Grand Opening New Year’s Eve Party will be from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Dec. 31, and will feature live music by Wake Up Jane, a Wii bowling tournament with prizes, a Texas Hold ’em tournament with prize money, all games, libraries and other features open for use, and potluck finger foods.

To schedule a meeting, donate games or other items, donate funds via Paypal, volunteer, or learn more visit (www.Pointofconnection.org) or call 541-398-0761.