On Wednesday, January 25, 2024, United States Representative Jimmy Panetta visited The Teen Center at Centennial Park. While there, Congressman Panetta took a tour as well as other activities such as playing with the kids who were there after school, and enjoying refreshments.
The Teen Center of Paso Robles is unlike any other. It was started by the Mayor’s Youth Commission post-COVID to give pre-teens and teens a place to go after school to do homework in the study rooms, have a snack, or go to the gym next door.
“We realized we didn’t have a lot of places for teens and pre-teens, so we created The Teen Center,” Kalani Gaviola, Vice Chairperson, said.
Gaviola has been a part of the Mayor’s Youth Commission for two years, and was there when Panetta visited. He wanted to see what The Teen Center was all about, and meet with some of the kids who frequent there. He played basketball with the kids, and talked to some of the leaders in the Mayor’s Youth Commission.
“We’ve had upwards of 60 kids there everyday after school, and it’s open every weekday until five-ish,” Gaviola said.
Congressman Panetta wanted to celebrate the good that Paso Robles is doing for their youth population, giving them a safe place to go after school.
