TECHNOLOGY CENTER
Martin Street Station was a nonprofit, privately owned and renovated 110-year-old church serving as a center for youth in and around Radisson.
With a population of 212, Radisson does not have many recreational activities to offer teenagers. Kathy Marcucci and her husband, Mark, bought Martin Street Station with the idea of turning it into a garden center.
However, as more teenagers stopped by to earn $5 an hour for work, the garden center evolved into a youth center.
The youth center already had five computers. One iMac and two digital cameras were purchased with MIRA money. The teens could either play video games, surf the web or design and print business cards and other printed material for local businesses for a profit.
The center stayed open for two and one-half years. Kathy lost interest in the youth center, sold Martin Street Station and could find no one in the community who wanted to take on the project.
Partnerships
Kathy didn't seek collaboration from the community. The appeal of this youth center was that there were very few rules. Obtaining grant funds would mean applying strict drug and alcohol rules, as well as a host of other restrictions that Kathy thought would discourage teen involvement or participation.
Leadership
At her new office, Kathy has the iMac and two digital cameras. Anyone in the community is welcome to use the computer and camera, however few have taken her up on her offer, and she doesn't advertise this service.
In practice, this MIRA team was run by only two people, Kathy and Mark Marcucci. This leadership style is probably the main reason why Radisson no longer has a youth center.
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