Group social activities, like this one at The Vault in Clinton last week, will have to be cancelled until the COVID-19 pandemic eases.
Activities like playing pool at The Vault, will be suspended until the COVID-19 pandemic eases.
Youth at The Vault thank healthcare workers and those working with the public during the pandemic.
From left, Luz Hernandez, Kaylee Ford and Addison Prothero work on a school project earlier this month at the Vault teen center in Clinton.
Volunteers, including several students from Clinton High School, put in thousands of hours of volunteer labor to help get The Vault, a teen center in Clinton, ready for a grand opening on Sunday.
The Pantagraph has been following six area residents since the spring and speaking with them about how life has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We talked to them recently about Thanksgiving.
CLINTON — More than 400 area youth remain active with The Vault, a Clinton teen center that opened in fall 2018. But social distancing and recommendations to stay at home make it tough, said the founder and program director, Michelle Witzke.
“We are doing our best to make it through this challenging time,” Witzke said.
Last week, officials with The Vault had to re-adjust their plans once again, following the decision by the Clinton School District to discontinue in-school education.
Superintendent Curt Nettles said DeWitt County's recent increase in positive cases meant that a number of students and staff members had to stay home after they were identified as the close contact of someone who tested positive. “We feel that not only instruction will be affected, but we fear the impact on our food service, transportation and maintenance staff will happen as well,” Nettles said.
With that announcement, Witzke said social activities at The Vault also had to be changed.
“Since our policies usually reflect the schools’, we had to scramble to figure out what to do,” she said.
During the fall, students have practiced social distancing, but have participated in a number of events, wearing masks, and limiting the number of participants. But beginning Nov. 30, The Vault will only offer limited programs and services, by appointment only, between 2 and 4 p.m. Monday through Fridays.
Enrichment classes, student support services, and tutoring will continue.
“More and more, we are recognizing how vital The Vault is to this community and providing support for not only our teens, but for their families as well,” Witzke said. “We are committed to trying to find the right balance between providing appropriate mental health support while at the same time protecting them against COVID.”
Witzke helped raise more than $400,000 to turn a vacant tanning and hair salon on the Square in Clinton into a community center for teens that opened in the fall of 2018.
The Vault has turned to social media to communicate with the students and the community. Every Thursday is Thank You Thursday, where officials thank those in the community for their support and post pictures of activities involving area youth.
Clinton honors graduates
Watch now: Clinton High School graduates honored
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A decorated vehicle shows its support for Clinton High School graduates Ella Korneman and Bethany Hospelhorn prior to a cruise parade Sunday, May 17, 2020, through Clinton.
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A long line of vehicles make their way into the downtown square in Clinton as its high school graduates were honored Sunday, May 17, 2020, with a parade.
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Supporters for Clinton High School's Class of 2020 look on as the convoy of vehicles approaches the square Sunday, May 17, 2020, in downtown Clinton.
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Onlookers watch as participants take part in a graduation cruise parade Sunday, May 17, 2020, through downtown Clinton.
Pomp and circumstance, alternate edition
Clinton High School senior Zachary Siltman rides in a graduation cruise parade Sunday, May 17, 2020, through the square in downtown Clinton. Siltman and his fellow Class of 2020 members were originally supposed to walk across the stage this day, but the coronavirus pandemic postponed their ceremony, currently rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. June 28 on the football field, rain date is 7:30 p.m. June 29.
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Clinton High School senior Allison Kalmer rides in a graduation cruise parade Sunday, May 17, 2020, at the square in downtown Clinton.
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Clinton High School senior Lensly Magana rides in a graduation cruise parade Sunday, May 17, 2020, at the square in downtown Clinton.
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Participants in a graduation cruise parade for Clinton High School's Class of 2020 pass a group of onlookers while riding through the square Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Clinton.
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A decorated vehicle shows its support for Clinton High School graduate Alexis Kemplin during a cruise parade Sunday, May 17, 2020, at the square in Clinton.
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Clinton High School senior Bethany Hospelhorn waves to supporters while riding in a graduation cruise parade Sunday, May 17, 2020, at the square in downtown Clinton.
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Friends greet each other during a graduation cruise parade for Clinton High School's Class of 2020 on Sunday, May 17, 2020, at the square in downtown Clinton.
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Participants in a graduation cruise parade for Clinton High School's Class of 2020 pass onlookers while riding through the square Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Clinton.
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Signs for Clinton High School Class of 2020 graduates lined along West Van Buren Street in Clinton on Sunday, May 17, 2020.
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Clinton High School senior Macy Alexander poses for a photo with her sign after a graduation cruise parade Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Clinton.
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Clinton High School senior Kara Montgomery gets her photo taken next to the sign outside the school after a graduation cruise was held Sunday, May 17, 2020, through Clinton.
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Clinton High School senior Kolton Spaugh gets his photo taken outside the school after a graduation cruise parade was held Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Clinton.
Contact Kevin Barlow at (309) 820-3238. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_barlow
