In the classic Bruce Springsteen song, Rosalita “(Come Out Tonight),” the protagonist pleads with his sweetheart to escape the confines of her daddy’s high expectations. He complains that “your papa says he knows that I don’t have any money.” Rosalita’s dad thinks the protagonist is a loser. It’s a tale of adolescent rebellion and the search for a place to belong, a place where you aren’t judged by your bank account or your reputation but simply welcomed.
In Los Gatos, teenagers aren’t exactly getting into trouble in the cinematic sense, but they are facing a modern version of that same Springsteen restlessness. They are looking for a place to sit down that isn’t a library floor or a crowded sidewalk.
Doing the Due Diligence
The Community Center Project Team understands that to build a space for the future, you must consult the people who will inherit it. Alongside two general community feedback sessions and substantial additional outreach, the team contacted Los Gatos High School to gauge student interest. The result? The formation of the High School Community Center Teen Club.
This group has been boots-on-the-ground advocates, ensuring their peers have a seat at the table. Their outreach has been exhaustive:
- Surveys: Identifying the specific “wants and needs” of the local student body.
- Expert consultation: Meeting with Mary Lonhart, a fellow Rotarian and middle school principal, to seek input and spread awareness.
- Parental input: Hosting a meeting to ensure the adults are on board with the vision.
- Middle school mentorship: Reaching out to the Fisher Middle School student leadership group to ensure the next generation is included.
A common vision across generations
The Teen Club’s desires align closely with those of the wider community. While Springsteen’s protagonist might be doing dumb things and hanging out in the street, Los Gatos teens are asking for something far more constructive.
Through their research, the students identified several key features that serve both their needs and the town’s broader goals. They advocated for a large, welcoming lobby, a place where people of all ages can socialize safely, creating an intergenerational hub. They highlighted the need for a large-capacity room that could host teen events and dances, while simultaneously serving the town’s need for a venue for town halls and performances.
The teens also pushed for smaller multi-purpose rooms, envisioning spaces for quiet study or club meetings that could double as flexible areas for community classes and non-profits. Finally, they emphasized the importance of outdoor space.
The after-school vacuum
While the library is a treasure, it has become the default “hangout” by necessity, not necessarily by design. Local schools remain unavailable after hours due to a lack of supervisory staff and liability concerns.
Years ago, the “Venue,” a standalone teen center behind the high school, served this purpose. But since its closure, a void has remained. Without a designated spot, teens find themselves in that awkward Springsteen-esque limbo: too old for playgrounds, too young for bars, and lacking a place to find inexpensive food options or participate in non-school-related activities.
“The night is bustin’ open, these two lanes will take us anywhere…” Springsteen sang. But in Los Gatos, our teens shouldn’t have to leave town to find a place to belong.
The power of “intergenerational”
One of the most significant takeaways from the project team’s research, including tours of successful centers, is that standalone facilities are a thing of the past. Building an intergenerational center, rather than a “teen center,” creates a stronger social fabric. When teens, seniors, and young families share a roof, the loser stigma often fades. The “papa” who doesn’t like the boyfriend might find himself playing chess across from a teenager, realizing they have more in common than they thought. It bridges the gap between those who have the big money and those who are just starting out.
Join the movement
The Community Center Project is about providing a safe, supervised and vibrant heart for Los Gatos. We are moving past the days of teens doing dumb things out of boredom. We are building a space where they can be leaders, creators and community members.
As the song goes, “Rosalita, jump a little higher… daddy’s gone, goodbye.” It’s time for Los Gatos to jump a little higher, too. Let’s build a space where every generation can find their place under the sun.
