Youth Dynamics provides guidance for Basin kids

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MOSES LAKE - For more than 15 years, volunteers and staff at Youth Dynamics have helped Moses Lake kids lead more spiritual lives.

Director Dave Oliver said he has been a part of the organization since 2002, and has seen hundreds of local youth turn their lives around through the program. Youth Dynamics first arrived in Moses Lake in 1997, he said.

"To see a student going one way, not a good way, and turning around and going another way and being a more positive influence in the community, that's what it's all about for me," Oliver said.

Oliver said staff and volunteers at Youth Dynamics share a common goal of helping kids in the area change their lives through spirituality.

"Students come down and we point them to Jesus, and then we point them to local churches," he said. "We see about 40 to 60 kids during Monday night meetings."

Oliver said community support is what keeps the program running year after year.

The group held its annual art auction and benefit dinner Saturday night at the Moses Lake Event Center. About 150 people attended the fundraiser and bid on local art and other items during the event's live and silent auctions.

This year's auction featured a piece created by a student, however, Oliver said he hopes to get more student pieces in to next year's auction.

As a welder, Oliver said he's always been interested in getting students involved in creating art.

Oliver said proceeds from the annual dinner and auction go right back into the Youth Dynamics program.

Oliver said he understands the importance of providing guidance for youth because he understands their struggles, such as school.

"Another goal we have is to get them through high school," he said. "As a dropout myself, I have a heart for students struggling with school."

Oliver said about 33 computers were recently donated to the program, and Youth Dynamics staff are looking to start using them to teach students useful computer skills.