NEO is a safe, supportive environment for youth in 6th-12th grade to spend their time after school, build friendships, learn new skills and discover their passion.
Youth can choose from a variety of activities such as art, music, video games, sports, ping-pong and so much more.
With lots of places to simply hang out, you can be yourself, let loose and have fun. Our staff is caring and compassionate and can’t wait to meet you! To learn more about New Events & Opportunities (NEO) and the many services we provide, keep scrolling.
Location: 200 Litton Drive, Grass Valley
(first floor, back of building)
NEO Cell: 530-205-7369
Fill out registration form to attend. If parents aren’t currently using the Chrome browser to get to the Bright Futures for Youth website/NEO page, please switch over to Chrome and then click the link on the page to register.
NEO events are free to youth. Community support is appreciated and welcome.
NEO is back Tuesday, Sept. 8. View the weekly schedule below and click here for our calendar of activities.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 3:00-6:30 p.m. Junior High School | 3:00-6:30 p.m. High School | 2:00-5:30 p.m. Junior High School | 3:00-6:30 p.m. High School | Occasional special activities and events TBD for both age groups |
MALE MENTORS NEEDED
A new program through NEO connects male mentors with middle-school boys in Nevada County. The once-a-month program encourages a connection where they can discuss a range of issues, from bullying and social media to healthy relationships. A barbecue, a baseball game, bowling, a hike or shooting baskets at the park. Small moments that can make a big difference in the lives of boys.
TABLES
p.s. the Discord Server is mainly for youth to interact with each other and with staff, not for parents. We will not be posting major news or updates in there that won't also be on our Facebook and Instagram.
About NEO
Started in 2008 by two 19-year-old women, NEO provides New Events & Opportunities to empower youth to make healthy lifestyle choices. NEO hosted more than 350 youth events in the community before opening doors to its first youth center in 2015. After five years serving more than 1,000 youth, NEO merged with The Friendship Club in 2020 to become a program under Bright Futures for Youth. The combined organization more effectively meets the needs of youth in the area while also leveraging and sharing resources.
The 3,700-square-foot NEO Youth Center is in the Litton Building located along with the many other Bright Futures for Youth programs.
NEO hosts fun activities and skill-building workshops for ages 18-25 to provide support during this transitional age. We create a sense of community and bring people together to laugh, play and offer guidance as they navigate life beyond high school.
As a youth-led organization, NEO teaches the value of service. Youth are seen as a key asset to our program’s success. Their leadership roles make a noticeable difference and impact. Youth can apply to be on our Leadership Team and are responsible for gathering peer input and feedback monthly. Together, we plan and implement program changes as well as activities and events. You can find the youth leaders volunteering at all our events.
NEO also participates in Bitney Charter’s dynamic full-day internship program in which high school students work alongside NEO staff every Wednesday and gain real-world job experience. For the 2023-2024 school year, we have five Bitney interns.
NEO provides opportunities for all youth in our program to feel a sense of belonging and purpose in our local community by offering community service projects. As a team, we serve at other local nonprofit events and fundraisers and help those in need. We have fun, learn a lot and get to make a positive difference.
NEO’s youth-designed fashion show and Kenny Steel Student Showcases – a School of Rock-style event with 60 youth musicians – are just two of our crowd-pleasing Community Events. We also host teen sections at numerous events throughout the year, such as the Nevada County Fair and Thursday Night Markets.
Rainbow Social, started in 2016, to ensure that LGBTQIA+ youth feel safe and welcome in the NEO Youth Center. This support group actively reaches out to the LGBTQIA+ youth community to let them know they are seen and loved. The get-together is a mix of fun social activities that promote protective factors to increase their health and well-being and help youth build friendships and self-esteem, as well as spending time with caring adults who listen without judgment.
Our Nevada Union High School Club meets every Tuesday in the library during lunchtime to provide a safe space where students can be themselves, have fun and make friends. Snacks are provided weekly!
Our outreach team also brings fun and engaging lunchtime activities to more than six middle schools and more than four high schools in the region. NEO assists school staff with creating a positive school culture and makes it easy for youth to feel supported by meeting them where they are.
The summer camp, in partnership with the Grass Valley Police Department, serves 6-8th grade students and helps them develop leadership skills. Fun activities, field trips and team building are all part of the camp that aims to develop relationships and improve communication, decision-making, empathy and anger management skills.
Events Calendar -- NEO is back Tuesday, Sept. 8
Click on the activity below to read more.
Interested in learning more about NEO?
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