bolinas_stinson_youth_group
YOUTH: A handful of the members of the Bolinas-Stinson Youth Group practiced ballroom dance—above, the Lindy Hop—during this week’s meeting that began on the Stinson Beach Green and ended in the group’s so-called Den at the community center. In a recent report to the Hearsay News, leaders Bridget Bartholome and Ian MacLaird wrote that on another recent Monday, “record numbers poured off buses.” “We gathered at dusk around a picnic table, saying something nice about someone else that was present, and taking turns sharing things that really scare us,” they wrote. David Briggs
We are the Bolinas-Stinson Youth Group. We are middle school and high school-age youth who live in Bolinas and Stinson Beach, and we meet every Monday afternoon in Stinson. Young people get off the bus and gather at the park to share what we are thankful for, enjoy soft-serve ice cream (replete with sprinkles donated by the Snack Bar), exercise team-building skills and receive tutoring in the library. Back in our Den, next to the Stinson Beach Community Center, we enjoy Parkside pizza, play pool, listen to music, watch movies and develop our “life speaking” skills. Some of our best times have been hiking up to Table Rock, enjoying the sunset on the beach and practicing the Lindy Hop in the park.
 
This Friday we will host a dinner at the Bolinas Community Center to honor those who make our program possible and to raise funds for its continuation. 
 
 
We have record numbers of young people this year—our seventh year. Everyone is excited to have such a stellar group, which wouldn’t be possible without our inspiring advisory board, led so elegantly by Sadja Greenwood, Pam Drake, Rachel Gertrude and Madeline Hope. They publish our stories, write grants and guide us with their rich wisdom. In turn, we get to relay to them the gifts our young people give us each week. It is a tremendous thing to be there for these teenagers, watch them grow, expand their capacity for compassion and understanding and witness how they show up, participate, hold space and let us know we make a difference in their lives. We are lucky.
 
Madeline Hope always goes above and beyond, networking with our West Marin neighbors and helping us get much-needed funding and infrastructure. John Gilbert at the Parkside Café provides dinner each week. Kerry Livingston is one of our biggest fans; she creates exciting programs at the library year-round, and is a cornerstone of our Monday gatherings. Mary Greenwood and the Stinson Beach Community Center give us a perfect place for our group to land. 
 
This Friday, Nov. 21, we will have performances by some of our gifted young people, including Rose Paradise. Lynn Maclaird and Dani Vincent are helping us prepare a delicious meal of harvest lasagna, featuring ingredients from local farms and businesses. Mann Family Farm will be beautifying our dining experience, and all our young people will put on their best clothes to add to our festive evening. There will be a slide show, and D.J. dancing with Tomales Bay Youth Center will end the evening. Our suggested donation is $10, and family rates are available. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Come be our guest. The doors open at 6 p.m.

Bridget Bartholome, a ballet teacher and choreographer, is in her second year with the youth group. Ian was born and raised in Bolinas, and is a co-founder of the group.