TO THE EDITOR:

Throughout the last several years, The Youth Service Bureau and North Branch Community Education have been collaborating with a variety of area businesses to meet the needs of youth. Each of these partners has adapted its programs as the needs of youth have changed, and all of these programs have been worthwhile and essential to the healthy development of our teens.

The Youth Service Bureau (YSB) and North Branch Community Education (NBCE) would like to applaud all of those business and organizational partners that have succeeded in making the North Branch community more youth-friendly. We extend a heartfelt Thank You to all who have been involved in making youth programs successful.

In particular, we extend our gratitude to the following businesses and organizations that have worked directly with the YSB and NBCE throughout the 2004-2005 school year:

Pizza Pub ñ Pool at the Pizza Pub ran from Feb. 21 - March 14 and April 11 -May 2 at the Pizza Pub in North Branch. Each week 8th-12th grade youth practiced their pool skills through fun games and tournaments of 3-Ball, 8-Ball, or 9-Ball. Everyone who participated had a great time, and most of them canít wait for the next session to start! Pizza Pub of North Branch donated the space for the Pool at the Pizza Pub League and granting the youth permission to use their pool tables for this activity.

JJís Bowl ñ JJís Bowl was an essential member in making the Teen Lock-Ins one of the most popular and successful programs for teens in North Branch! Two Teen Lock-Ins were held during the 2004-2005 school year, and both were filled to capacity! The unlimited cosmic bowling and pop has always been a hit, but the addition of karaoke at JJís Bowl made the program even more fun for the youth.
North Branch Cinema ñ The North Branch Cinema is where the Teen Lock-Ins always begin, and theyíve set a fun tone for the night each time. The private screening of a PG/PG-13 movie for our group is always popular, and who doesnít love unlimited pop and popcorn. Itís the perfect compliment to any movie.
AmericInn and Suites ñ The AmericInn and Suites has always been eager to help with Community Education programming. Most recently they have been hosting the YMCA preschool swimming lessons in their pool. In ìThe Land of 10,000 Lakesî itís important to arm our youth with the ability to swim-and the AmericInn is helping the community to meet this need.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) ñ Whether it is selling concessions at a Youth Skateboarding Competition or holding a Teen Dance for local middle school students, this group is consistently finding ways to help the youth. Itís no doubt that this is one group committed to helping our community.
The Youth Service Bureauís partnership with North Branch Community Education is currently in a state of transition, but each of us remain committed to North Branch area communities and programming for youth. For more information on youth activities in North Branch, please contact Carrie Dobie, Prevention Education Coordinator at the Youth Service Bureau at (651) 464-3685 or by e-mail: Carrie.Dobie@ysblakesarea.org. You may also visit www.ysblakesarea.org. We also encourage you to contact North Branch Community Education at (651) 674-1025, by e-mail:commed@northbranch.k12.mn.usî commed@northbranch.k12.mn.us or visit www.northbranch.k12.mn.us.

Carrie Dobie
Youth Service Bureau

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