Hilton resident works to launch community teen center

Karen Musson, Hilton resident for 20 years, is working to provide a place for local youth who currently have no place to go. Musson is hoping to open a Teen Center that offers recreation opportunities and crisis intervention for children in grades 6-12.

The mother of three grown children said she is focused on trying to provide hope for a population of the Hilton community that is currently pretty hopeless.

"Hilton’s schools have a lot of systems in place to help kids and the recreation program is great for kids interested in sports up until the age of 12," said Musson. "However, Hilton still doesn’t have a program that focuses on at risk youth – no community does."

The New York State School Report Card for the Hilton School District 1999-2000 reports that 100 students were suspended from the district and 19 students dropped out.

The 2001 Monroe County Youth Risk Behavior Survey that is compiled using data on high school students reports that:

•More than 16 percent have carried a weapon in the last month

•More than nine percent were forced to have sexual intercourse

•More than 14 percent were engaged in a physical fight on school property

•Almost 17 percent attempted suicide

•Almost 42 percent used marijuana

•More than 26 percent were sexually active

Musson said the blame for these statistics should not be placed solely on the schools. "I see the schools taking on all the responsibilities that used to be up to the parent," said Musson. "The community needs to realize this and come to the aid of the schools."

Musson ran a similar program in Fairport with some impressive results. When she began as the program’s director in 1998, she had 1,600 youth visit the center that year. By the time she left in 2001, she had about 12,000 visitors over the course of the year.

"If you had asked me four years ago what I would be doing I never would have guessed this," said Musson. As her children grew up and moved out of the house, Musson was faced with finding a new purpose. She went back to school and got her bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport in recreation. She is now in graduate school.

Musson said the work and stress of operating a teen center can be daunting as the children have many different needs; but for her, the rewards far outweigh the headaches.

"You have kids there who were so needy they would do anything for your attention," said Musson, adding that some she has worked with came to her pregnant, homeless, and without many necessities for day to day living. Musson said she is hoping to make a profound impact with this segment of Hilton’s population as well.

Currently the project is in the initial stages. Musson is still searching for a facility, staff and funding sources. She is focused on getting funding from sources other than a municipality because the center will provide social services.

Musson scored a recent victory by soliciting the help of Republican Assemblyman Joe Robach. Musson said Robach (if re-elected in November) promised to serve on the Center’s board of advisors and help to secure the funding necessary to acquire a facility.

Musson said her initial communication with village and town officials and merchants has been positive. Some individuals have asked her what would make this venture different than Thumbs Up, a teen center that was started in Hilton several years ago and is no longer in operation.

"An important difference is that this center will be staffed by professionals," said Musson.