Teen Action Zone
What are your teens doing after-school? It's a question that all parents must eventually answer. What will their school aged children be doing after the final bell of the day? If your son or daughter is not involved in extracurricular activities at school, have them check out the Teen Action Zone, in the Bazaar Americana Building, 609 West Third Street, Sterling, Illinois.
The Teen Action Zone, or TAZ for short, is an after-school program open to 6-12th grade students in Whiteside County. TAZ offers academic assistance, positive adult role models, life skills and a host of games and activities for youth. TAZ also creatively seeks to involve parents in the after school lives of their children.
When is Teen Action Zone Open?
Hours during School Year
Monday - Friday 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
(includes most school holidays, breaks, in-services and early dismissals)
Teen Action Zone Looks to Expand Service Learning
Sinnissippi Centers learned in June that the Teen Action Zone will continue to be a Teen REACH funded site through the Illinois Department of Human Services. Sinnissippi's proposal was one of nearly 100 after school programs to receive funding for fiscal year 2006.
Eric Hoffman, coordinator of TAZ, says overall the program at the teen center will remain unchanged.
"The main staples of the program--homework assistance, recreation and sports, life skills, and the Teen Leaders program--will continue. But we're also looking to get our youth more involved in service learning projects," explained Hoffman.
During the last year TAZ has been involved in multiple service learning projects including National Youth Services Day.
For more information about TAZ call Eric Hoffman at (815) 625-8119.
How do Youth Enroll in TAZ?
Youth are allowed to drop in to TAZ twice, but after that they must be enrolled in the program to participate in activities. Enrollment forms are available for pick-up at TAZ during regular teen center hours. Photo IDs will be issued for security and attendance initiatives. There is no fee associated with participating in regular TAZ activities, although a deposit/charge may be necessary for special activities or trips.
Throughout the year, TAZ invites youth to participate in trips to Chicago, Great America, Starved Rock (camping) and quarterly lock-ins. TAZ also has computers available with Internet access, game systems, big screen TV, foosball, air hockey and pool tables.
Who are Community Partners in TAZ?
In the operation of TAZ, numerous individuals, businesses and organizations have stepped forward to help out. The following is a list of those community partners:
- AmeriCorps of Sauk Valley Community College
- Challand Middle School
- City of Sterling
- DANA Corporation
- Rock Falls Police Department
- Rock Falls Middle School
- Rock Falls High School
- Sinnissippi Centers, Inc.
- Sterling High School
- Sterling Police Department
- Sterling Public Library
- Sterling School District
- The Sinnissippi Foundation
- University of Illinois Extension of Whiteside County
- Whiteside County Court Services
- Whiteside County Health Department
- Whiteside County Healthier Communities Partnership
- YWCA of the Sauk Valley
Additional Information
If you would like additional information contact Eric Hoffman, Coordinator of TAZ, at (815) 284-6611 or (815) 625-8119. Or e-mail at teenactionzone@hotmail.com
Teen Action Zone is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services. Sinnissippi Centers, Inc. is the fiscal agent for TAZ.
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