OF SERVING OUR TEENS & TOWN

OF PROVIDING OUR YOUTH WITH VOLUNTEER, MENTORSHIP, LEADERSHIP & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

OF CREATING A SAFE, INCLUSIVE, ENRICHING & PLAYFUL CULTURE

​OF BEING HOME TO A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

​OF MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
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$20 donation - $20,000 GOAL - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

This Fall marks Trackside's 20th year serving this community. To mark this special anniversary we are raising $20,000 through this 20/20/20 community campaign.

We wouldn't be where we are without you and all those who have loved, served and staffed Trackside over the years. Through all our ups and down, we are proud to be standing strong and a place for all to belong. 

​Please show your support today through your $20 donation.

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A Few Words from the Executive Director

20th Anniversary #TRACKSIDE

In Fred Rogers 1997 Emmy’s Acceptance Speech, Fred Rogers took the stage and thanked everyone who had helped him come to this night. Those near and far and some who’d passed away.

"All of us have special ones who have loved us into being." He shared.

He then asked the audience to take 10 seconds, along with him, to think of the people who had helped them become who they are.

I invite you to take 10 seconds right now to think about your own teenage years -  remembering how it felt,  your biggest challenges, your happiest moments, the important PEOPLE who helped build and strengthen your sense of self.

Take 10 seconds - I’ll watch the clock. (PAUSE) 

“Whoever you’ve been thinking about, how pleased they must be to know the difference they’ve made.”

Helping someone “into being” is no small thing. 

So many people in this community have helped Trackside into being. If you’re here today, you’re one of those people.

I hope you’ll take 10 seconds to take this message in and feel pleased knowing the difference you’ve made for us.

For over 20 years Trackside has proudly offered our youth a safe place to belong and feel supported as they build their identity and learn how to believe in themselves.

Having a place to belong and people who hold space for you as you experiment, express and fumble your way through figuring out who you are is essential during our teenage years. (It's essential for us as adults too!)

Feeling like you matter and belong, regardless of grades, performance or preferences offers a layer of protection; it’s the life vest that keeps us afloat when the waters get rough. 

Packaged inside the playfulness that happens here, the socializing and the seemingly ordinary moments here is something truly profound.  

It’s the witnessing of our kids, of your kids, blossoming into being. 

It’s why we’re so passionate and protective of the Trackside mission and culture. 

Teens come here for a variety of reasons. 

Some work in our kitchen and cafe, some lead a club, many are participants in a club, some are paid leaders, some are volunteers, some just come and sit quietly on the couch or in a corner - too anxious to join in just yet. 

For some it’s just a fun place to socialize and hang out, for others it’s the ONLY place they feel like themselves. 

I’ve been a student and researcher of human behavior my entire life, specifically fascinated by the adolescent story of not good enough.

This story about who we are and how good we get to feel about ourselves, takes shape during adolescence and stays with us forever.

This is why now -  more than ever - a place like trackside, that provides relief, that allows our teens a safe, playful, low-pressure place to figure out who they really are, isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential to the well- being of our teens and our town. 

It’s one of the most important gifts we can give our children.

We do more good in the world when we feel good about ourselves. 

We feel lucky and honored to do this work. We’re standing here because of the vision, hard work, and devotion of all those who came before us. 

Cheers to 20 years.
Here’s to many more.

​xx Lori Fields