What a year it’s been! We’ve got your Year in Review to remember and celebrate all the amazing things we’ve achieved together! Starting off with major transformations…
The long-awaited upgrade to our 73-year-old building officially began in December 2023. Through the first half of the year, Phase 1 of construction had us running programming out of out art room and gym, and it was tight! Still, we made the best of it and a special shout out goes to our amazing staff who kept our members engaged and happy in far-from-perfect circumstances.
Despite some limitations, by staying focused on critical areas – academic growth, mental and physical wellness, and practical life skills – The Zones still touched the lives of hundreds of students this year. In June, Phase 2 of construction had us beginning to use some our new space and we loved exploring what’s possible with the kids.
Special *Thank You*s go to our program sponsors, Sonoma Clean Power, Recology Sonoma-Marin, Alaska Airlines, and JAMBAR, for bringing such fun, joy, and learning to our members ]through their generosity and participation despite construction.
*Thank You* also goes to our parents for their patience and support during the remodel. It meant so much to us that you trusted the process and allowed us to get the work done. We hope you are now witnessing the amazing spaces and activities we are able to provide. If you missed this year and haven’t been back yet, come check it out!
In April, we bid a fond farewell to our popular comedy show fundraiser, Punchlines for Purpose, a.k.a. Pasta and Punchlines. If you were along for the ride with us these last 6 years, it means you witnessed over 20 hilarious acts, played innumerable rounds of silly games, won all kinds of swag, and walked away feeling great about your choice to support youth. Shout out to all of our event sponsors and donors who supported the effort! It's been a blast making this event with you.
Punchlines raised funds for our Membership Scholarship Fund, which enables us to offer reduced or no-cost memberships to families facing economic hardship. Don’t worry, we are continuing to raise funds toward this critical need in other ways.
The upgrades didn’t stop with our building; 2024 also saw the launch of The Zones Academy, an exciting new program designed for youth across Santa Rosa to explore their interests and gain new skills. Our Fall trimester classes, Elite Soccer Footwork, Intro to Draw & Paint, and Hip Hop Dance, were phenomenal and we look forward to offering all new classes in 2025.
Another significant area of growth was the unveiling of spaces and plans for programming designed for middle and high school aged students, the Teen Program. In just a couple of months, we've held a 5-week teen yoga class, high school students are using the recording studio every week, and we've paired up teens and kids in our Homework Help program, and we're just getting started! Stay tuned for more details about all the amazing things we're planning for 2025.
We kicked-off a new annual event, Zillions for The Zones, our community’s opportunity to come together in support of the youth who need us most. Adapting to local needs has always been our strength and we were overwhelmed by the support we received for our efforts to make a difference in the lives of local teens. Unveiling our new facility, sharing a delicious meal, and hearing from inspiring speakers, our inaugural event was deeply memorable and rewarding. To our sponsors, donors, Pascaline French Bistro, and everyone who made the event possible, thank you!
Finally, now with modern amenities and inspiring activity and learning areas, our center is the dynamic hub for inspiring and engaging young minds that local youth have always deserved. *THANK YOU* to every person and organization that played a role in bringing our vision to life!
None of this would have been possible without the generosity and commitment of our community. As we look ahead to 2025, and with you in our corner, we know can achieve our goals: enhancing program offerings, reaching more students, and continuing to innovate in ways that uplift our community’s youth.
If you’re looking to make a contribution to a worthy, local cause, we invite you to consider The Zones and be part of this new chapter of our organization. Everything we do is for local youth because they deserve it. Please join us and, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you!
Sincerely,
John G., Zach, Nate, Scott, Kate, Casey, Amber, John V., Amanda, Daniel, and Janette.
