A group of Girl Scouts wants the city to start a teen center in Ansonia, to create a “controlled environment” to socialize.
The girls, members of Ansonia’s Troop 60748, presented their proposal to the Board of Aldermen this week.
“We believe adding a center for teens could help the community in multiple ways,” Girl Scout Bianca Little said during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Little said the troop’s research indicates that a controlled social environment could help teenagers stay away from drugs, vandalism and other risky behaviors.
“It is no secret there are several gangs and cliques in Ansonia,” Little said. “At least six middle schoolers have gotten pregnant.”
The girls, who are all in eighth grade in Ansonia, said the best place for students to socialize after school right now is the Boys and Girls Club.
But, Little said, the only teens allowed to hang out there after school are the volunteers.
The proposal suggested having a teen center for students in middle and high school to socialize away from younger students.
The troop presented the plan as part of its Silver Award project — a group community service project.
Their leader, Melissa Smith, said the girls will be available to help create a teen center if that’s what the city decides to do.
“We don’t know if they’re considering it,” Smith said. “If they do, great.”
The troop worked for two years on the proposal, conducting surveys of middle school students in Ansonia and researching benefits of teen centers.
Of 164 students surveyed, 81 percent said they would go to a teen center in Ansonia, according to Girl Scout Taylor Madore.
The troop members said they believed the center could bring in money if it charges teens for some social events.
“They’re a great group of kids,” Smith said. “I think they have a great idea and hopefully something good will come of it.”
