Talk About Town: Should the Teen Center Have a Membership Fee or Volunteer Requirement?

During Tuesday night’s township meeting, Hartland resident Barb Krueger addressed the board with questions regarding the teen center, Next Door.

“I remember when my parents brought me up, that there was no free lunch,” Krueger said. “And I’m just wondering how all of this is going to play out if those students continue to get something for free.”

Next Door is a free service currently offered to Hartland students in grades 7 through 12 with a “teen-driven” focus. 

Krueger raised the question of the possibility of having students pay a small membership fee or be required to volunteer within the community at places such as the Hartland Music Hall, the library or the schools.

“I just think that there should be something out there that they are very involved in,” Krueger said.

Responding to Krueger’s question, trustee Joe Petrucci explained that many of the teens involved with the center have already volunteered many hours helping to prepare the building for operation, saving the township “thousands of dollars in labor.”

“Your concern is well-noted,” Petrucci said. “And I think that part of our goal is to have that teen center self-supported as much as possible.”

Petrucci also emphasized that the idea of the teen center was to support the youth of community similar to how the senior center supports the older population as well.

“The teen center is set up basically the same way, it keeps the kids off the street in a safe environment, out of the elements and out of trouble,” he said. “As we support the seniors, I think we should support the youth as well.”

So, Hartland Patch wants to know: Do you think students should pay a small membership fee or be required to volunteer within the community to particpate at the teen center?

Tell us in comments.

In this Thursday morning feature, we want to hear your opinions about certain topics making headlines. We'll be looking for your feedback in the comment section weekly. And we want to know what the Talk About Town is in your circles. Email Tatum at tatum.ryan@patch.com and it could be a topic of a future Talk About Town.