Salvation Army to Host Community Meetings for New Suisun City Center

By Ian Thompson | DAILY REPUBLIC

SUISUN CITY - Suisun City residents will soon get their chance to hear more about what the Salvation Army has planned for its new center that opens this summer and talk about what they want to see it offer.

The Salvation Army plans two community meetings, on April 27 and May 6, at the Suisun City Library at 601 Pintail Drive. Both meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. >>map>>

Meetings will start with a short presentation by Salvation Army representatives followed by a question-and-answer period, according to Doug Daut, director of programs for The Corps, Salvation Army, Suisun City.

'The Salvation Army to a lot of people is a thrift store and a kettle, but it's a lot more,' Daut said.

While the driving force of the center is the church, Daut said the center on Wigeon Way will have a wide array of youth programs a well-run health and fitness center.

'We will get more specific at the May meeting for details about the programs and we want to get people's input,' Daut said. 'We want to hear from them.'

Reconstruction of the center is still on schedule and is expected to be done by the end of May. The center's opening is tentatively slated for mid-June, Daut said.

The center's Web site is still under construction. Applications for part-time employment are still available at the trailer next to the center.

For more information, call the Center's temporary number at 707-720-5376.

City Council Sells Community/Aquatic Center

THE SALVATION ARMY WILL REFURBISH CENTER & REOPEN IT TO THE COMMUNITY

SUISUN CITY — The Suisun City Council unanimously approved on Tuesday the sale of the shuttered Community/Aquatic Center next to Hall Park to The Salvation Army.

The vote concluded a 16-month search for a new operator for the community facility following the sudden closure of the facility by the YMCA.

The Salvation Army will develop a timeline for the complete renovation of the facility before reopening it with a full range of community and recreational services for everyone from seniors to youth, including fitness and aquatics programs.
>> READ MORE >>

Sale of Shuttered Community/Aquatic Center Goes to City Council

THE SALVATION ARMY TO PURCHASE, REOPEN CENTER TO THE COMMUNITY

SUISUN CITY — The Suisun City Council will consider on Tuesday selling the shuttered Community/Aquatic Center next to Hall Park to The Salvation Army, which is committed to upgrading and reopening the facility for a broad range of community services.

Once the agreement is approved by both parties, The Salvation Army will lay out its timeline for renovations and a Grand Re-Opening. The Salvation Army Board of Directors (Western Territory) approved the agreement on Monday, October 12, 2009.

“It is absolutely tremendous to return this essential asset to the Suisun City community, particularly during a time when community services are needed more than ever,” said City Manager Suzanne Bragdon. “The Salvation Army brings the experience, focus, dedication and resources to make this an extremely successful operation.”

The City Council will consider selling the entire facility, including the gymnasium, offices, community rooms, workout space, locker rooms and swimming pool, to The Salvation Army for $3 million. Because improvements to the facility would be funded through donations, The Salvation Army requested to purchase the facility rather than operate the City-owned facility.

Approval of this project by The Salvation Army is a testament to the opportunity this Community/Aquatic Center presents.

“In spite of current economic challenges, The Salvation Army believes that the residents of Suisun City and its surrounding communities are sufficiently committed to the health, fitness and future of their families,” said Major Douglas F. Riley, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army’s Del Oro Division. “We are looking forward to working together and making this a positive outcome for all.”

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Suisun City Planning Commission Approves Salvation Army Permit

PERMIT TO HELP FINALIZE SALE OF PROPERTY, REOPENING OF COMMUNITY CENTER

SUISUN CITY — The Suisun City Planning Commission unanimously approved on Wednesday a conditional use permit and general plan finding necessary to re-open the shuttered former YMCA community center for family and youth activities.

After purchasing and renovating the property, The Salvation Army plans to operate

• Family fitness and recreation center activities seven days a week, including fitness machines, aerobics classes, gymnasium sports, swim lessons and pool operations.
• After-school youth tutoring and supervised recreation activities
• Social assistance for local families, such as emergency pre-packaged food, applications for utility asistance programs, information and referrals to other agencies, and personal counseling.
• Summer and Christmas seasonal activities
• Disaster response training and services as needed following a disaster
• Various community meetings and events, such as weddings, anniversaries, etc.
  

The Planning Commission action helps The Salvation Army finalize negotiations to purchase the facility formerly operated by the North Bay YMCA. The Suisun City Council may be asked to consider a sales proposal later this month. >>READ MORE>>

Planning Commission to Consider Salvation Army Application

PERMIT TO HELP FINALIZE SALE OF PROPERTY, REOPENING OF COMMUNITY CENTER

SUISUN CITY — The Suisun City Planning Commission will consider on Wednesday a conditional use permit and general plan finding necessary to re-open the center for family and youth activities.

After purchasing and renovating the property, The Salvation Army plans to operate

• Family fitness and recreation center activities seven days a week, including fitness machines, aerobics classes, gymnaseum sports, swim lessons and pool operations.
• After-school youth tutoring and supervised recreation activities.
• Social assistance for local families, such as emergency pre-packaged food, applications for utility asistance programs, information and referrals to other agencies, and personal counseling.
• Summer and Christmas seasonal activities.
• Disaster response training and services as needed following a disaster.
• Various community meetings and events, such as weddings, anniversaries, etc.
  

The Planning Commission review and action will help The Salvation Army finalize negotiations to purchase the facility formerly operated by the North Bay YMCA. The Suisun City Council may be asked to consider a sales proposal later this month.

The Planning Commission meeting will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday August 5 in the City Hall Council Chamber. >>READ MORE>>

The Salvation Army is Top Contender to Re-open Center

OFFICIALS LAUNCH DISCUSSION ON OPERATIONS AGREEMENT

The Suisun City Council has identified The Salvation Army as its top pick for further discussions regarding taking over the community center shuttered by the North Bay YMCA. This step allows both parties to focus on bringing back youth and family programs that are vital to supporting and strengthening the Suisun City community.

The City Council Ad Hoc Committee and Citizens’ Advisory Committee assigned to review proposals from seven organizations wanting to re-open the facility, unanimously selected The Salvation Army as the top choice based upon its commitment to families, communities and the high level of service evident in more than 360 recreation centers it operates across the nation.

In making this determination, the top priorities of the City Council Ad Hoc and Citizens’ Advisory committees were to ensure:

• Commitment to a safe place for children when schools are closed;
• Commitment to partner with other community groups for facility usage;
• Maximum access to programs regardless of ability to pay;
• Pool operations;
• Basketball court usage; and
• Fitness center, including machines and free weights.

Representatives of the City and The Salvation Army have begun discussions on a financial arrangement to take on operations of this facility that meets the fiscal and service needs of both parties. Program and facility assessments are also underway. Timelines for reopening the facility are expected to become clearer after the first of the year.

After a rigorous series of interviews and site visits, The Salvation Army rose to the top of the list because of the quality of its operations, its desire to provide services not otherwise available in the community, and its commitment to becoming part of the community. Specifically, the committees were impressed with The Salvation Army’s commitment to provide a safe and fun environment for children, its flexibility in programming and membership rates, its wide base of financial support, and its worldwide reputation for enduring high-quality programs. The Salvation Army prides itself on providing support services to families to ensure their success economically and as a basic building block of society.

“The Salvation Army is much more than ‘bell ringers’ during the Christmas holidays and service providers to the homeless and other people in crisis,” said City Manager Suzanne Bragdon.

“Their services are far-reaching and include the operation of more than 360 community recreation facilities similar to what is being proposed in Suisun City. They will be a welcome addition to our community.”

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a faith-based Christian organization that has actively supported those in need without discrimination in the United States for 128 years. Nearly 29 million American receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a broad array of social services ranging from providing food for the hungry to relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter for the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide.

For more information about The Salvation Army, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.

Effort to Reopen Former YMCA Facility Moves Forward

Suisun City's efforts to select a new operator for the former YMCA facility on East Wigeon Way at Pintail Drive continues to move forward.

Following City Council direction this week, City staff and the appointed City Council ad hoc committee will begin discussing financial and other deal points terms with the two finalist operators to determine all potential costs and obligations associated with reopening the facility.

Five community members - primarily former members of the North Bay YMCA - are part of the review process and serve on a Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC). Those members are John Miller, Robin Underwood, Robert Watts, Ruth Forney and Brad Stanhope.

With input from the CAC, Ad Hoc Committee and City staff, six interests that the City should be looking for in a replacement operator were identified. They are:

• Commitment to have a safe place for kids when school is closed.
• Commitment to partner with other community groups for facility usage.
• Maximize program access to members of the community regardless of their ability to pay.
• Pool operations.
• Basketball court usage.
• Fitness Center – Machines & free weights.

Based on those six interests, the Ad Hoc Committee reviewed the proposals and invited five operators to an interview. Staff and the Ad Hoc Committee conducted the interviews and then pared it down to the top two candidates.

Those two candidates were invited to a second interview where the Ad Hoc Committee and Citizen's Advisory Group conducted a more in-depth discussion/interview.

The Council Ad Hoc Committee then visited each candidate's local facility. These interviews focused on the programs and services that the operators propose to bring to Suisun City.

To date, the focus of the process has been on services, programs and general financial capability. As directed, staff will continue to diligently move forward with the financial discussions with the top candidates.

We appreciate the patience of everyone committed to this process as staff and City Council work through this selection process.

Preserving YMCA Programs

On June 30, the San Francisco YMCA will no longer operate the North Bay YMCA in Suisun City. For years, the local YMCA has struggled financially, and the parent organization in San Francisco can no longer afford to subsidize local operations.

City staff is working diligently to examine which of the YMCA's children's and youth programs we may be able to continue at existing City or school locations with the staff and financial resources we have available. While research is continuing, it appears as though we may be able to continue between 80% and 90% of those programs.

The City also is working with another regional YMCA and two private parties that have shown interest in the possibility of operating the current facility, or major components of the facility. Details of those offers are being reviewed by City staff. At its June 17 meeting, we plan to present the City Council with options and alternatives for how we can proactively address the situation.

We understand the disruption the loss of this type of key asset has on the community and local families. Supporting Suisun City youth and families is a key mission of our Recreation and Community Services Department. We also take very seriously our responsibility to the community to manage taxpayer funds in a highly responsible and sustainable manner.

ABC 7 News recently did a news piece on the situation. Follow this link to see that news piece.

Annual crab feed to aid YMCA

Vacaville Reporter

SUISUN CITY - The North Bay YMCA will hold its annual Crab Feed from 6 to 10 p.m. March 8. Tickets cost $40. To purchase tickets, call 421-8746. All proceeds will benefit the Strong Communities Campaign.

Each year, the funds raised help the North Bay YMCA serve more than 3,700 youth and offer financial assistance for programs and membership to more than 400 families in Solano County.

The North Bay YMCA is located at 586 E. Wigeon Way in Suisun City.

To volunteer for the Crab Feed or Strong Communities Campaign, contact Rodney Chin at 421-8746.

Media: Class helps expelled teens make better 'Choices'

By Carol Bogart | Daily Republic

SUISUN CITY - Seventeen-year-old D'Angelo Johnson has learned the importance of choosing his friends.

Johnson failed three classes at Armijo High School as a sophomore. To have enough credits for graduation, he took extra classes at Sem Yeto Continuation High School. At Sem Yeto, he said he got caught 'holding a bag of marijuana for a friend' and was expelled.

Today, the Suisun City teen is refocused on success after completing the four-week 'Choices' program for expelled high school students at the North Bay YMCA. The life skills class meets once a week and is led by Youth Program Director Deon Price. To date, about 240 expelled students have completed the class.

D'Angelo Johnson said his father, Derrick Johnson, urged him to take the Choices class. Derrick Johnson had been working 12-hour days to support his family, Price said, after his wife died when D'Angelo was 13.

Losing his mother at such a young age, in combination with his father working '7 to 7,' Price said, set the stage for D'Angelo Johnson's downward spiral.

Most of the expelled students in Price's class don't volunteer to be there. They have been referred by area high schools as a condition for reinstatement.

The YMCA started the Choices program two years ago after noticing there seemed to be a spike in expelled students, Price said. The time between the expulsion and when students were being placed in an alternative school could be two months or more, he added.

Students were falling so far behind academically, with no hope of graduating on time, that they become discouraged, Price said. The Choices class is designed to help get students straightened out and prepare them for achievement.

D'Angelo Johnson is a good example.

After being expelled, he said it was two months before he was placed in an alternative school, the Golden Hills Education Center. In Price's class, he listened to anecdotes that he said made him rethink the choices that had caused him so much trouble.

For instance, he remembered Price's story about a 16-year-old who fired a friend's gun into the crowd at a high school basketball game 'just to scare them.'

That 16-year-old is now serving a 19-year prison sentence because the bullet narrowly missed the principal, Price told his new class of five on Wednesday.

Clarence Jordan, 14, listened intently as Price finished the story by saying the 16-year-old told authorities, 'It wasn't my gun. I just wanted to do something.'

'One bad decision cost him 19 years of his life,' Price said.

Clarence shook his head and replied, 'He ain't never gonna get those years back, either.'

Talking back to the principal at Armijo High and other infractions landed Clarence in the Choices program. After hearing Price's story, he said he planned to apologize to school officials.

The story also made an impression on D'Angelo Johnson when he heard it in the class. He said he no longer associates with the 'friend' who asked him to hold his marijuana.

Price, who lives with his wife and four children in Suisun City, has unique skills for holding the attention of his captive audience. He's a former standup comedian and worked in juvenile probation for a decade.

Derrick Johnson, whom Price described as a 'great father,' has cut back his hours and taken a cut in pay to spend more time with D'Angelo and his younger son.

D'Angelo Johnson said in just his first two months at Golden Hills, he earned 50 credits toward reinstatement at Armijo High. Now a junior, he said his grades are good and he plans to go to college.

Reach Carol Bogart at 427-6955 or at cbogart@dailyrepublic.net.