Valley Youth Center Opens Its Doors to the Kids

Denise Kuritz can easily be described as a highly-energetic and motivated person. And, she’ll be the first to tell you what inspires her.

“It’s all about the kids,” said Kuritz, a longtime Lower Moreland resident and president of the Valley Community Outreach Corp., which is more commonly known as the Valley Youth Center.

Located in the lower level of the Huntingdon Valley library, the center has been at the hub of the Lower Moreland community since its doors opened in 1998. But, it’s more than a building, says Kuritz, “it’s the heart of the community.” The non-profit recreational center serves as a safe haven for children from Lower Moreland Township and Bryn Athyn Borough to meet with friends and classmates for recreational and social activities.

Last Friday evening, dozens of people packed the 2,100-square-foot center to celebrate its “Grand Re-Opening.” Kuritz, with the support of volunteers, thought it was important to honor those people who had the vision to make the center a reality. So she worked with an artist to have the names of the volunteers live on in the form of a mural gracing the walls of the center.

“I think it’s important for the people coming in now to remember why we are here,” said Kuritz. “It’s because those people had the vision, it’s important that we don’t forget them.”

In 1997, Mark Bellomo and Brian Schnarr, students and community members joined forces and formed a group of concerned community members in the hopes to bringing young people from the Lower Moreland and Bryn Athyn communities together. Both Bellomo and Schnarr were honored at last week’s event.

“The tragic beating and killing of Eddie Polec was the driving force for this,” said Mark Bellomo, referring to the 16-year-old who was beaten and killed on November 11, 1994 in front of St. Cecilia’s Church in nearby Fox Chase, Philadelphia. Many dedicated adults and students came together for hundreds of hours of labor shoveling and hauling away debris left over from years of an abandoned utility room that was located at the lower level of the Red Lion School, currently, the Valley Youth Center and the Huntingdon Valley Library lower level.

The Valley Youth Center has been totally remodeled twice, once in 2003 and in 2008 after suffering damage from a flood.  Additionally, the center has been upgraded in 2010 and 2011, including: an organizational coat hanging system, new window shades, a new heating pump and air conditioner, a new hot water heater, shelf and sink, new counter tops, fresh paint and some new furniture.

The center also provides an opportunity for older students in grades 7-12 to earn volunteer community service hours and interact with adult board members and incoming students. This unique volunteer opportunity helps students to learn valuable leadership qualities and management skills. These students that live in our community are interviewed and trained to become positive role models for the younger children at the

For more information on the Valley Youth Center visit, www.valleyyouthcenter.net.