Yachats Oregon Writer Rick Schultze

Today more and more we hear the sad news of budget cuts in extracurricular activities in schools. Music and literary programs are often on the chopping block despite the long standing theory that participation in group activities is a tremendous help in developing young people into people that can inner act with others both socially and in the workplace. Teamwork is often an overused word but developing it, and understanding it, is important and when young people are denied the chance to participate in group settings that offer creative outlets it’s a shame.

However we Central coast residents are fortunate to have a couple of programs that are beneficial for the young and allow them to participate in activities that are wonderful for them to take part in. The two programs I’m speaking of aren’t school run programs but are programs that are funded by donations and underwriting and operated by folks who dedicate their time and effort to help these young and creative minds develop. The first program takes place in Waldport.

Here is part of their invitation they sent out for their upcoming event; “The community is invited to celebrate, support and encourage young writers by attending a Book Launch Party for ‘Find Your Place’, the third annual volume of poetry and prose from Seashore Family Literacy. The free event is on Thursday, May 21 at 6pm and includes refreshments, a reading, and book signing. The party will be held at the Waldport Community Learning Center Writing Studio, located at

265 SW Bay St

in Waldport.”

The program “Young Writers” is a free program offered by Seashore Family Literacy. Founded in 1992, the non-profit organization promotes community and education through numerous programs, including youth and adult tutoring, after-school activities, summer camps, and free meals. Seashore operates with volunteer support and programs are provided at no cost to the participants.

The other program is “a benefit in support of jazz education” to be held on June 27^th at 7:30 pm at the Performing Arts Center in Newport. This is the kickoff of the 3^rd annual Summer Night’s Jazz. The event will be hosted by the jazz group Perpetua. The evening is produced by Just Jazz Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to jazz education and promotion of jazz as an art form. Just Jazz organizes and presents affordable weekly Jazz Fridays during the months of July, August and September and also underwrites the Summer Jazz Camp for local musicians of all ages. At this performance an ensemble of young students from the 2008 Jazz Camp will also take the stage with Perpetua for a performance that should prove to be quite memorable.

Those are two of the kinds of efforts that communities like the ones we live in support. They are the backbone of local involvement with youth and others, like parents, who can no longer rely on schools to provide all the programs. It’s a grass roots effort to do the right thing for those who need it. The youth of today will be the adults of tomorrow and they need to be exposed to as many outlets as possible. Like the old commercial says “a mind is a terrible thing to waste” and it’s true. Now it’s up to us to keep things going when traditional institutions no longer seem to be able to.

Please support your local programs that help the youth and the rest of your community and you know what? You can have fun and a great time doing it!!

To reach Rick Schultze email: yarick@pioneer.net