Representatives of the NEO Youth Center in Grass Valley presented an update to the Nevada County Board of Supervisors this week on what they are doing to engage local youth in activities to reduce isolation, help them develop a sense of purpose, and build self esteem and skills for success.

click to listen to Halli Ellis

That’s Hallie Ellis who along with Lynn Skrukrood Co-founded and are now Co-Directors of the youth organization. N EO got started in 2008 and has been able to host over 70 events each year for youth at various venues around town including Thursday Night Market. They were finally able to open their own Youth Center last March, where they have between 15 to 45 youth visiting each day after school. Ellis says Junior High youth also have a program to take NEO to elementary schools .

click to listen to Halli Ellis

She says they create fun activities but they encourage a healthy lifestyle , thjey showcase how to socialize how to laugh, how to exercise and
they talk about how to be drug free.

click to listen to Halli Ellis

The presentation was well received by the Board of Supervisors  with Richard Anderson wishing they could have a similar Youth Program in Truckee, and Hank Weston, who advised Ellis and Skrukrood when they were just getting started with  NEO .

click to listen to Hank Weston
NEO is currently in a fundraising campaign to secure recurring monthly donations to run the youth Center which takes about $5-thousand dollars a month.