Making A Difference

(SALEM, Ore) — No matter what generation you are from, kids always seem to have boundless energy. Where they direct that energy is the key. The HOME Youth & Resource Center in downtown Salem makes it their mission to provide those positive venues. One such program is called the Drop-In Gladiators. This group was formed at the beginning of this year, and has developed into a regular crew of kids who get together once a week to exercise and spend quality time with each other. And they’re not alone. Sergeant Jason Van Meter and Officer Pat McDermott of the Salem Police Department Downtown Enforcement Team are the facilitators.

Many kids looking for direction may consider regular contact with the police as a bad thing. But these kids enjoy running right alongside them, and competing against them in whatever the exercise of the week is. As Officer McDermott told Salem News Journal, “I get just as much or more out of this, as the kids do”. On the day we got to tag along, they met at the HOME Center (625 Union St NE) and then ran down to Riverfront Park. From there, Sgt Van Meter put everyone through an endurance course including pushups, crunches, flutter kicks and a short run. It was inspirational to watch how the kids held together as a group, and pushed each other (and the officers) to work harder.

A program like this doesn’t succeed by itself. Many other local businesses and organizations have made this idea possible. The Salem Police Foundation has helped by donating money for equipment. Elite Custom Screen Printing made the kids T-shirts with the Gladiators logo. Gallagher’s and Big 5 Sporting Goods have also helped this group. “I feel very thankful to be in it” says Alex, one of the participants. Another regular attendee is Kaylee, who added “I feel like it gives me a lot more energy”. Josh, who won the competition that day, told us “It’s very inspiring”.

This is the kind of program that makes a significant difference in a kid’s life, and can give them confidence and direction for the future. All the kids we saw seemed energized and enthusiastic about the weekly activities and the friendships they’d made. Here’s to the HOME Youth & Resource Center and all the other supporting organizations for making this program a reality.