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Business & Tech

Updated: A Place for Teens Announces New Activities

Following Executive Director Mike Loya's departure, a new events manager position has been created at The Venue teen center.

, the organization that has served Los Gatos teens for 20 years, announced Wednesday a full line-up of new activities for summer and fall. In addition, a new board has been elected, as well as a newly created events manager position for the organization’s teen center, The Venue.

The changes come on the heels of the  of Executive Director Mike Loya, who was terminated because of a lack of funds, according to Peggy Dallas, adult president of A Place for Teens.

Dallas said funding for the new activities will come from donations from service groups such as the , and clubs.

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“We also have some money in the bank,” Dallas said, adding, “but not enough to fund the executive director position.”

At this time, there is one paid position at A Place for Teens—an administrative assistant.

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“In the future, we will probably be hiring part-time help in the business office and someone part time to be present for the after-school programs,” Dallas said.

The new programs include swim nights at the pool every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m and sports nights at The Venue, such as a Super Bowl Party and bowling, go-carting, Laser Quest iFly and other activities sponsored by CASA (Community Against Substance Abuse).

Sports trips to Sharks and Giants games and guitar, cooking and first-aid classes are also on the agenda, as well as a new Internet café serving breakfast and lunch.

“We’re looking at dances, movie nights, Fiesta de Artes food fair, local bands, video game tournaments, the beach, paint ball," said Michelle Stevens, the newly appointed events manager for The Venue. “We’re going to have fun.”

The Venue, located behind Los Gatos High School, is also available for private teen parties.

A Place for Teens is a nonprofit organization that serves teens in Los Gatos and Monte Sereno. The organization’s board consists of both teens and adults.

Update: 4 p.m. Wednesday

Loya offered these comments regarding the changes at The Venue:

"Regretfully, due to a lack of funding, my position was dissolved. This was an agreed-upon decision and a hard one for the board to make, as I have been so involved in youth and teen programs in our community for such a long time. But it was the right decision.

"A Place for Teens is such a valuable asset to the community, and funding of such programs is challenging to acquire. The board has been working hard to improve the services of the program.

"As the prior person who operated The Venue and worked with A Place for Teens, I will continue to remain a HUGE supporter of the organization. Its mission and services are vital to the community of Los Gatos, and I encourage more community members, teens and parents to get involved.

"I will be moving on to other opportunities in my life and am very happy with the decision made by the board. I'm looking forward to a lot of great programs from them as both of my high school students attend and participate in programs at The Venue."

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