Music Program A place to play and create

BY MARIA ARELLANO

The Red Shield Game Room has always been a favorite spot for kids to just be kids.

Over the years as adults return to the Red Shield with their children it’s common to hear them say, ‘I remember when the entrance to the Red Shield was in the game room.’ Over the last 10 years we have been continuously remodeling and upgrading our Red Shield.

At the Red Shield we have recently moved our game room to a more kid friendly space. This is where we are undergoing our new look to move our 1980’s game room to a 2022 video-themed game room. A space where arts and crafts can get messy without damaging carpet. A place where kids can have a friendly tournament of Mario Kart or E-sports. A place where kids can gather and play board game or BINGO with the Activities Coordinator, Tammy.

The game room is a fun, inviting space where kids can be kids and interact with their friends or make new friends. In the game room you will find our staff member Tammy, who loves working with the kids daily. She is always ready for them and remembers them on their birthdays, even newbies get to know Tammy quickly. Our new game room has online gaming, family-friendly movies, arts and crafts and arcade games like Foosball and air hockey.

You can find this room as a drop-in center that is a cool down room in the midst of summer. Kids like the game room as it is noisy but relaxing. You can just sit and relax or join in any activity being offered. The game room is open daily after homework program until 6:30 p.m.

The new game room could use some love and adopting. You can donate your time, talent, or treasures by helping us ramp up the room. We are going with the modern E-Sport or Gaming theme. Today’s youth love gaming and crafting. In our game room we want to make the space inviting to what youth love.

Game Room

The game room renovation will include more online gaming options, as well as some classics like Foosball, air hockey and board games. There’s also family-friendly movies and arts and crafts projects. The funding needed for the game room is $57,700.

This year the Salvation Army Modesto Red Shield started a music program, for kids ages 7-18 years old. They teach a variety of instruments and dance. From Ukulele to Folklorico these kids have a space to learn either a new instrument or a new cultural dance.

“Each kid gets to explore a new skill or hidden talent they didn’t even know they had,” said Capt. Thelma Jimenez. Each class and student gets to go on to a Divisional competition to present the piece they have been working on.

“This Music Program is one of the many things we get to teach and learn with the kids. And what an honor that is,” said Jimenez.