Building our Future
LIV Teen Center
A place to belong; forming opportunities and friendships through compassion and enrichment in the lives of youth.
Our Story
CYA began in June 2018. Teens met shared visions, goals, and ideas. One of our youth leaders, Olivia “LIV” Johnson, was instrumental in collaborating on the day’s plans by writing all the notes and the Mission Statement. Three days later, CYA and the community were devastated when Liv died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Through our grief, the youth vowed that when we accomplished the goal of creating a local teen center, it would be named the LIV Teen Center in her memory. The teen center began with humble beginnings meeting in parks, the Presbyterian Church, and the Senior Citizens Center. In the summer of 2020, due to COVID restrictions, the teen center began looking for a different location. We are blessed through a partnership with the City of Idaho Falls and the Boy Scouts of America to have a 14,000 sq ft facility to provide resources for area teens.
What we do
The LIV Teen Center Team provides daily transportation, meals, after-school tutoring, and enrichment classes for all area youth grades 7-12. Classes include STEM, art, music, fitness, cooking, adulting 101, crafts, support groups, sewing, photography, and more. If you want it, we can find it. The teen center offers a safe environment for after-school hours with caring and supporting mentors.
IT’S TRUE, IT IS ALL FREE TO FAMILIES. WE ARE FUNDED THOUGH GRANTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. NO STRINGS OR HIDDEN SECRETS. IT’S JUST FREE.
join us
What do you know that you think teenagers should know? Call us with suggestions and join our team. We are looking for additional instructors for the following:
American Sign Language
Guitar
Piano
Drums
Photography
Dance
Violin
Anime
meet Olivia "liv" johnson
LIV was born on January 3rd, 2001, to Jake and Traci Johnson. She was an excellent student and member of the National Honor society. She was heavily involved in the community. She worked hard to earn her CNA, CPR, Med Tech, and First Aid Certifications. She had a special place in her heart for those with special needs and was involved with the Special Olympics.
Olivia had a zest for life, making everyone she met feel special. LIV enjoyed playing softball and soccer at Idaho Falls High School. She loved horseback riding, hunting, campfires, ice cream, kayaking, hiking, traveling, shopping, wake and knee boarding, swimming, watching movies, working with youth, being with her friends, and any adventures with her dad. She loved to laugh, have fun, and had a contagious smile. Olivia loved without judgment; her compassion and acceptance for everybody is the model by which CYA and the LIV Teen Center strive to achieve. We ask all who utilize the gift of the Teen Center always to remember to LOVE LIKE LIV!
Our funding
The LIV Teen Center is funded though:
- Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Education.
This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.
