Los Gatos Teen Center Closes

After more than 20 years of serving the youth of Los Gatos, announced Thursday afternoon it's shutting its doors for good on June 10.

The agency operates The Venue, a teen center for youth programs and activities, located behind Los Gatos High School at 4 New York Ave.

The center has been leasing the land from the town since March of 1992.

However, in a press release issued this afternoon by new A Place for Teens President Nicole Williams, she said that while a physical location for teens to congregate and call their own was a needed resource in Los Gatos, "youth and the adult community alike were not compelled to find ways to maintain the building and the associated costs of running a teen center.

“We are proud of the legacy that APFT has in our community and the programs and services that were offered. It makes financial sense to shut down a facility that is not being utilized to its full potential and pass on our resources to ensure a smooth transition of the Safe Rides programs to (Community Against Substance Abuse) or CASA,” Williams said.

, which provided more than 550 car rides to teens (this school year) in 2011-12; thus keeping teens and others safe on our roads late at night.

The program will now be run by CASA, Williams said.

“CASA is excited to be the new steward of a very successful, meaningful and needed program for teens in our community. We’re happy to have Safe Rides under our umbrella of programs and look forward to ensuring that our children have safe transportation at night” said CASA President Karen Gramling.

The doors of The Venue will be closed for good on June 10, and the
Town of Los Gatos will assume ownership and responsibility for the
property, Williams said.

CASA will assume responsibility of Safe Rides program beginning the new school year, she added.