A place to learn about teamwork

The gymnasium serves as an integral part of the Red Shield Center by hosting an array of recreational activities, community gatherings and social events over the years.

The wide, open space serves as the perfect spot for Red Shield to offer sports and activities to students as well as the general public, providing a low-cost alternative for adults and families who want to lead a healthy lifestyle.

“The kids here feel safe — they have a space where they’re being challenged and empowered, in a place where they can just be kids,” said Operations Manager Maria Arellano. “They can utilize it, have fun and be active.”

Twice a year kids and teens can register for a six-week basketball clinic where they receive basic instruction in basketball. Teenagers can play pickup basketball from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drop-in basketball for adults is from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Children use a portion of the gym from 5p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Times can also vary. Activities include indoor soccer, kickball, dodgeball, volleyball and relay races.

The space is also used for a monthly Family Fun Night, an event on the last Friday of the month when families can come together for a time of fun and laughter. Some of the activities provided are Nerf Gun wars, Family Carnivals, and movie nights. Mass meals are served to community members on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

One of Red Shield’s goals is to provide a supervised, friendly and healthy alternative to students spending days after school on the streets, she added.

“A place like this is important because what the streets are offering right now is the total opposite,” Arellano said. “Here, they can get away from that and don’t have to worry about the pressure of somebody trying to peer pressure them into doing something they don’t want to do.

The full-size modern gymnasium provides basketball and other recreational activities for children, teens and adults. With an emphasis put on gang intervention and prevention, the gym is a place where many high-school aged kids and young adults spend many hours. The gym uses include basketball, pickle ball, volleyball, indoor soccer, kick ball and special event. The funding need for these programs costs $59,000.