Brunswick-area teenagers and children seeking inexpensive, fun things to do during summer and after school have a new, affordable option for exercise, education, and entertainment in a safe and supervised setting: the CPL Youth Center.
Founded in early 2007 by local restaurateur Judy Cheng and a dedicated group of volunteers, the center —the name of which stands for “Care, Protect, and Love”—is offering summer classes in Chinese language and martial arts for beginners, starting on June 18. Classes range in price from $18 to $30 per participant per month.
“Because so many Brunswick-area children live in households where both parents have to work, we wanted to offer these families some safe and inexpensive choices for summertime entertainment for their kids,” says Cheng. “The youth center will hold multiple fundraisers throughout the year and will collaborate with state and local organizations to find ways to provide these classes at reasonable rates.”
Although these summer 2007 classes will be conducted at the City Park building on Potomac Street, the youth center founders eventually hope to find a permanent dedicated space in town to offer classes, after-school tutoring, and special events.
The center has applied for its 501(c) (3) non-profit status and expects to be formally certified as a charitable organization by the end of the year. The youth center will have insurance coverage in place by the time the classes begin in mid-June.
Registration forms will soon be available on the youth center website www.cplyouthcenter.org and at the Emerald Garden Chinese Cookhouse on in . Please direct any registration-related questions to Judy Cheng at 301-834-3338 or cplyouthcenter@gmail.com.
“We don’t want to turn any child away because of finances,” Cheng says. “Even if you don’t think you can afford a martial arts or Chinese language class for your child, please contact me and we will figure out a way to include him or her.”
Brunswick residents can help underprivileged kids attend these classes and help fund the expanding activities of the youth center by making tax-deductible donations or volunteering their time or services.
Donations will help cover rental fees, insurance costs, supplies, equipment, and financial aid for needy youth and will enable the center to expand its offerings in the fall.
“If we raise enough funds soon, we can also host a weekly Youth Center Night where kids can hang out, play games like table tennis, watch movies, listen to music, or engage in other healthy social activities,” says Cheng.
The first fundraiser this summer is a Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, June 16, from 7 to 11 AM at the Brunswick Ambulance Company on Potomac Street.
Summer 2007 Classes
Chinese Martial Arts for Beginners: Every Monday and Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM at the City Park Building, June 18-July 17; July 18-August 17. Children and teens from ages 11 to 16 are welcome. $18 per person for 4 weeks of instruction only; or $30 per person for 8 weeks of instruction.
Chinese Language for Beginners: Every Monday from 4:00 to 5:15 PM at the , June 18-August 17. Children and teens ages 8 to 16 are welcome. $25 per person per month.
Welcome to the new web log ("blog") for CPL Youth Center of Brunswick, Maryland.
CPL Youth Center--the name of which stands for Care, Protect, and Love our children--was established in spring 2007 to provide Brunswick-area youth with affordable, high quality options for summer camp, after-school tutoring and mentoring, and social activities.
