All fun and games: In the spirit of this nonprofit, LS event promises a good time
Lee’s Summit has a chance next week to help the community’s youth, and have fun doing so.
Pro Deo Youth Center will be hosting its annual Games On fall fundraiser from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 4 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1800 SW State Route 150 in Lee’s Summit. Tickets are $30 for those who pre-register or $35 at the door.. Admission includes food, one drink and two game tokens. For more information, go to prodeoyouthcenter.org/GAMEON.
It’s a Pro Deo tradition to have fundraisers in the format of playing games.
“We thought it only appropriate to have fun playing games since we are a teen center,” said Pro Deo Executive Director Elaine Metcalf. “Teens having fun in a safe, kind and inclusive environment is our mantra.”
In its decade of operating, Pro Deo’s free educational activities after school and in the summer have drawn more than 800 teens.
“Our role is to improve the well-being of vulnerable teenagers and their families — period,” Metcalf said. “Imagine an inclusive community that gives these teens a place to connect and build relationships with their peers. A place like Pro Deo Youth Center where these teens feel safe, are loved and, of course, the educator in me means we keep them learning beyond the bell.
“A place where they have access to these resources regardless of income status. Teens can be uniquely themselves.”
Kathryn Bradley has a unique perspective of Pro Deo. She was one of Pro Deo’s founding students in 2010 and later was an intern for the organization. Bradley is now a board member.
“I am a product of this organization,” Bradley said. “Over the past 11 years I’ve watched it grow from the house of our founders, to understanding how it ran as a non-profit during my internship when we joined the Lee’s Summit Chamber.
“Now as the vice president of the board, I see what a positive impact our work has on our volunteers, staff and teens. It’s our mission to provide a safe and inclusive place for our students to build and foster relationships in an environment where they are allowed to gather and grow academically and socially.“
Metcalf said too many teens struggle with isolation and mental health issues. Pro Deo focuses on teaching teens to engage in the community, learn creative arts, be physically and mentally well, and envision career goals.
She said by building these social and emotional learning skills in underserved youth, Pro Deo helps teenagers stay away from risky behaviors, complete high school and have access to mental health services that they otherwise would not be able to obtain.
“Much emphasis and attention has focused on the plight of urban children and teenagers — and rightfully so,” Metcalf said.
“As a population group, they experience trauma, violence, substance abuse and other negative influences in greater numbers and suffer lifelong consequences because of them. However, suburban adolescents face many of these same lifelong challenges.
“In many cases, more middle-income communities struggle to even acknowledge that serious gaps and challenges impact their own youth and families; such problems are seen as happening in other places, not here.
“Bottom line, Pro Deo is fostering lifelong healthy relationships that will serve our youth for generations to come.”
