Moriches Community Center Inc

Background

In the spring of 2000, a group of concerned citizens initiated discussions between parents, students and community members regarding the rise in drug, tobacco and alcohol use and well as criminal mischief among local young people. At that time, a study entitled "Juvenile Offenders & Victims: 1999 National Report" showed illicit drug use by juveniles had increased since the early 1990’s, and alcohol use, while level, remained high. This same study found that a high percentage of juvenile crimes occurred in the hours immediately after the close of school, as did crimes against juvenile victims. These concerns, coupled with the increase in youth crime and gang related activities in nearby Suffolk County communities, prompted a desire locally for youth based programs which offer an alternative to involvement in risk-taking behaviors, emphasize violence prevention and diversity tolerance, and encourage civic pride and personal responsibility.

While existing local programs provided well supervised activities for a certain segment of our youth population, a gap was identified regarding activities targeting youth ages 12-19 in particular. The lack of activities which meet the diverse needs of this population coupled with the absence of a safe, well supervised environment where teens could meet increased their risk of drug and alcohol use, as well as involvement in criminal mischief and gang like activities. Local residents felt that one of the ways to prevent the spread of negative behavior among local teens was to create a safe, well supervised place for all residents to meet and develop healthy relationships. In March of 2000, Moriches Community Center was incorporated.

Our Guiding Values

• Moriches Community Center believes that all young people have the capacity to develop personal responsibility, diversity, tolerance, and respect for self and others, thereby increasing the likeliness they will make positive life choices.
• We value human diversity and seek to involve diverse populations in our board, staff, volunteers and clientele.
• We view the opinions and input of our youth as a critical component to the success of sustaining Moriches Community Center.
• Publicly, we will always set an example for our clients, staff, and the communities we serve, and our work will always be done in a way which represents the trust those communities place in us.

Our Vision

We envision Moriches Community Center as a safe, well supervised, drug and alcohol free center which will provide all local residents with opportunities to experience activities that broaden their knowledge, enhance their self esteem, promote healthy relationships and strengthen their commitment to our communities. Guided by the leadership of a strong Board of Directors, Moriches Community Center’s programs focus primarily on preventing negative behavior among local youth by channeling them into positive activities under the supervision of caring adults. Additionally, the Center plans to serve senior citizens, families and other community organizations, and initiate intergenerational activities to promote more cohesive communities.

Co-Executive Directors: Kathleen Johnson, Anthony Parlato