Volunteers are needed to open the doors to a new Manteca teen center in September.

The Thomas Toy Community Center at Fremont and Yosemite avenues is being opened to provide a teen center where seventh through 12 grades can hang out, socialize, play games, make videos, learn skills such as guitar playing and working on a car, conduct poetry slams — you name it — in a safe environment.

The teen center needs as many as 200 volunteers to make it work.

Commitment levels start as little as two hours a month.

A volunteer open house is being conducted on Thursday, July 18, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

It will give those interested in volunteering a chance to view the facilities and see the possibilities.

There are 11 general areas volunteers are needed:

*Mentoring: Emotional, educational, spiritual, music, mechanical, and business.

*Workshop: Bike repair, automotive (oil change and tire repair) and skateboards.
*Front desk: Answering phones and registering students/check-ins

*Café: Make coffee, serve snacks, prepare food, and work the cash register.

*Janitorial services: Clean bathrooms, wipe tables, and clean floors.

*Gardening: Plant and maintain planter boxes.

*Arts & crafts: Painting, needlepoint, jewelry making, and other.

*Music: Play at events, teach, or be an assistant for a class.

*Game/rec room: Monitor students, movie night volunteer, play games with students, and exercise class.

*Media room: Podcasting, audio recording, and video capture and editing.

*Event volunteer: Chaperone students check-in food/drink service, event set-up, other duties as need.

The teen center hours will be Monday through Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. with some weekends.

Volunteer hours can change based on need.

Volunteers are required to complete Live Scan prior to working with students.
 More information can be found at thomastoycc.org or by calling 209-407-2568.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com