Brittany Sternberg has been named the director of the Saranac Lake Youth Center. (Provided photo)

SARANAC LAKE — Brittany Sternberg has been named the director of the Saranac Lake Youth Center, just two weeks before the 2025 Olga Memorial Footrace.

The board of the youth center is enthusiastic about Sternberg’s experience and hopes she will bring a new energy to both the center, and their fundraising initiatives like the Olga.

Sternberg comes to the youth center after five years as a co-owner of ADK ArtRise, an educational studio and creative outlet for folks of all ages and abilities. Prior to that, she has worked and volunteered in the area since the age of 14, including as a graphic designer, general manager of a hardware store and as the arts and crafts director at a summer camp. She has a deep love for the community, creative expression and providing safe, inclusive spaces for people to be themselves.

In 2024, Sternberg was the recipient of the Zonta Club of the Adirondack’s R.O.S.E. award for “Recognition of Serive and Excellence.” That same year she facilitacted the “Welcoming and Belonging” mural installation downtown, which features artwork designed by groups of people and organizations from all over the area, including a panel done by the Saranac Lake Youth Center. The board of the youth center feels that these accomplishments are testaments to the values that Sternberg will bring to the center.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the youth of this community,” Sternberg said. “This position became available right when I was looking for my next step. It feels like it was meant to be.”

The Saranac Lake Youth Center opened in 1982 and serves all middle and high school students primarily in the Saranac Lake School District. It is open from 2:30 to 6 p.m. after school, Monday through Friday, and may offer summer hours and activities as well.

The youth center is housed in a bright 2000 square-foot office space in downtown that is easily accessible from schools and neighborhoods. Inside there is a pool table, air hockey, video games, music and a full kitchen available to learn cooking skills. Daily free snacks are provided.

There is also an abundance of board games and art/craft supplies as well as lounge areas. Computer, video and music usage is carefully monitored for appropriate content. There is strict monitoring and restrictions for any sign of substance use. Informal counseling and discussions focus on relationships, family, drug and school issues.

Teenagers, while no longer in need of “day care,” remain a vulnerable age group who benefit greatly from adult guidance. The youth center’s true value is the safe, supervised, supportive space it provides for teens who are struggling. The struggles vary, from family, financial or social issues, lack of supportive adults in their lives, to personal feelings of low self-esteem and isolation. They are often the fringe kids, who may not feel accepted by their classmates. At the youth center, teens feel at home and accepted. They are free to be themselves with understanding supervision. They can eat, play games, do homework or do what’s most important to teenagers: just hang out.

The center’s focus is on forming positive relationships and being respectful and responsible. The director provides support and guidance while allowing the teens the freedom to express themselves and to explore their growing independence.

The Olga 5 and 10K Run and 5K Walk, held Aug. 16, has become a traditional Saranac Lake summer event. For the past 28 years it has continued to support multiple community causes, including the Riverwalk, Girl Scouts and the skatepark. This year, the youth center will continue its partnership with the Rotary Club of Saranac Lake. The goal is to raise $10,000. The proceeds will benefit local youth through increased programming at the youth center and enhance the rotary’s literacy program that puts a book in the hands of every child in the elementary school.

The course is mostly flat, circling Moody Pond and passing by Lake Flower. The 10K is a two loop course and is a true 10K distance. Race results, raffle and awards ceremony immediately following the last finisher.

Free refreshments will be available, as well as three water stations along the course. Awards will go out to the top three male and female finishers in each age division in the 5K and 10K runs as well as awards to the top male and female in two age divisions in the walk.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/39vshtu7. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/mvx8x3kd.