Skrappy Tucson Youth Culture

About/History
For the most part, they do a good job of providing a safe environment. where kids feel comfortable hanging out and stay out of trouble."
- Richard Elías: CountySupervisor, on Skrappy's about La Placita.
Skrappy's is currently located in the former Continental Trailways bus depot at the corner of South Fifth Avenue and East Broadway. Skrappy's was founded in 1996 by Kathy Wooldridge as an alcohol-free haven for teens to listen to music and socialize. Over the years its service offerings have grown. Besides the regular live shows featuring a mix of local and touring bands for which it is best known, Skrappy's offers job and drug counseling, classes and emergency clothing, blankets and shelter. Since 2001 it has operated under the umbrella of Our Family Services (formally known as OutTownFamilyCenter), a social service provider. Skrappy's is a youth center that last year provided services to approximately 16,000 teenagers.Skrappy's is a youth-run performing arts center and after-school hangout operated by Our Family. It was founded in 1996 and became part of Our Family (then known as OUR TOWN) in 2002. It is nationally recognized as a model of positive youth development and civic engagement. Skrappy's offers a variety of programs from dance, filmmaking and art classes to health fairs and a host of volunteering opportunities.
Last year, more than 16,000 young people walked through the Skrappy's doors seeking self-expression, community engagement and a safe, stimulating, drug- and alcohol-free environment. About 4,800 of those received services from Our Family's outreach staff in the form of food, clothing or referrals to other resources in the community.
Our Family provides a continuum of services to people in every stage of life. Last year, more than 29,000 at-risk children, youth, families, seniors and disabled adults used our services, which include counseling, education, housing, mediation and help for people in crisis. For more information, visit our website at www.ourfamilyservices.org or call (520) 323-1708. Aside from hosting shows, Skrappy's involves teens in breakdancing classes; film and theater projects; training in art, karate and literacy; GPS mapping; and sewing and fashion design. Skrappy's in effect is an urban park and after-school program deserving of public support.
Skrappy's is more than a place for music - it is a youth community. Skrappy's is a safe, positive, drug and alcohol free environment for young people to freely express themselves through music, theatre, art, journalism, dance, and lifestyles. Skrappy's encourages youth to embrace who they are and helps them achieve their goals. Young people involved at Skrappy's learn valuable life and social skills. Whether they are helping run the center, playing in a band or participating in a class activity. They increase their self-esteem, refine leadership skills and strengthen their sense of community. Skrappy's is based on a "do-it-yourself" ethnic, where young people have ownership of the program. It is a place to be heard, a place to grow, a place young people give each other the support, acceptance, love and family structure that may be missing in their lives. Skrappy's was founded in the mid-1990s by a group of youth and adults dedicated to a dream of establishing a regular venue for underground or independent music in Tucson, Arizona.