Limited VolunteerIn 1999, a group of Willits parents and teachers gathered to meet and discuss the horrifying incident of youth violence that had taken place at Columbine High School in April of that year. At several community meetings, parents discussed how youth violence could be prevented by providing a higher level of guidance and expanded recreational opportunities to youth. In 2001, a shocking episode of youth violence here in our own community reinforced the conviction of a few people that more should be done to keep kids safe and out of trouble. On October 28, 1999, the first organizational meeting was held at the Willits Library meeting room. Sixteen people attended, including two people who went on to become founding board members of the Willits Boys and Girls Club, which was later renamed “Willits Kids Club.”Willits Kids Club was incorporated in March of 2000. Our program started with a one-day per week after school program and expanded to a daily after school program as well as summer day camp. The effort to build a youth center in Willits took many years and much fund raising and grant writing.