Black and white photographs of girls in field hockey kilts and boys in football jerseys lined one wall of the meeting room of the Harden Street Community Center. Another wall displayed girls baking pies and boys building birdhouses. Since 1912, the center had given young people a place to improve their bodies and minds as well as a wholesome environment for socializing and fellowship. The center was still housed in its original building, a brownstone in an urban area, and although the neighborhood around it had changed, the center still offered sports, health, and nutrition classes, and enjoyed a healthy membership of girls and boys. Aside from including more fat-free recipes in its cooking classes and the creation of soccer and lacrosse teams, not much had changed at the center in 100 years. The board of the Harden Street Community Center was composed of neighborhood residents, a few men and women who had been members years before, a few people who had been members decades before, and two local businesspeople. The executive director was also a former member. "Next spring will mark the 100th anniversary of the Harden Street Community Center," announced Carly Wilfong, executive director of the center. "I'm so proud that we've kept our doors open all this time and been here for the boys and girls and young men and women of our community. Because this anniversary is so significant, we need to start planning ways to celebrate." "I agree," said Agnes Shepherd. "Perhaps we should have a special athletic exhibition, or a cooking demonstration." Agnes was one of the elder members of the board, having become a member of the center herself not long after it opened. "Those both sound like lovely ideas," agreed another senior board member. "We could have a dessert party!" Carly shifted in her seat and cleared her throat. "Those sound like nice events, but they weren't exactly what I had in mind. I was thinking more along the lines of launching a new awareness program and expanding our health curriculum." "Awareness of what?" asked Agnes. "Our health curriculum is quite comprehensive. We teach first aid, nutrition, and fitness." "Well," Carly began apprehensively. "I think we should start a teen pregnancy prevention program at the center. Over the years the number of young women in our community who get pregnant has increased. We've hired babysitters during our cooking classes because young people are bringing their children to the Center." "I think sex ed is a great idea," said Todd Logan. "It's 2012 and not only pregnancy but AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are major issues with young people — men and women." Agnes looked horrified. "Sex at the Harden Street Community Center?" she said in a voice barely above a whisper. "I would never dream of such a thing! We provide wonderful opportunities for the young people here to improve their bodies and minds through recreational athletics and old-fashioned fellowship. We don't need to corrupt a positive atmosphere with discussion of sex." "Just because we discuss it doesn't mean we're encouraging it," Carly said gently. "And we're not just talking about sex, we're helping these kids to build self-esteem, take better care of themselves, and act responsibly." "Carly's right, Agnes," said Todd. "This is an issue that concerns all young people today. They should know about contraception and be aware of the potential dangers of sex." Agnes' eyes widened and she shook her head. "That sort of discussion should remain in the home. It's not our place to bring up such a subject." "It is our place," Carly said, "because not all parents feel comfortable talking about this subject with their children. We're the only place in this community where teenagers can come and be safe. We must provide this service. When we opened, what kids needed was an opportunity to play and learn in a nurturing environment. Now what they need is information that is more relevant to the times. Our mission clearly states that we exist to improve the minds and bodies of young men and women." "Learning about sex will not improve their minds or bodies," said Agnes angrily, "and I won't have it here." Carly looked around the board table at scowling faces of different generations. She believed this new program was entirely appropriate and definitely needed. But without the support of the whole board, what could she do?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

The center has been a centuryold and therefore most of its members who belong there have been there ... View the full answer