Best Places to Work 2014: Chop's Teen Club

When Executive Director Diane Curtin speaks about Chop's Teen Club, it's easy to understand why employees voted this nonprofit as one of the best places to work in the North Bay. There is an obvious sense of purpose within this organization dedicated to serving local teens.

“Because we are a mission-driven organization, we are connected to each other by a common goal," Ms. Curtin said. "And because everything we do is for the teens, it makes it a little easier to step outside yourself when needed. There is a true sense of camaraderie and teamwork to support our teens and that makes it a very special place indeed."

The facility, located at Santa Rosa's Railroad Square, is equipped with a recording studio, art gallery, computer lab, gym, climbing wall, teaching kitchen, nightclub and dance floor. Membership is open to all Santa Rosa teens starting the summer before seventh grade. The price? One dollar per year. “Working parents love us because they can drop off their kids after school and know they are in a fun, safe environment,” Ms. Curtin said.

But the staff at Chop's isn't only there to make sure the facility runs smoothly. They are teen mentors, and each person is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of their young clients. “When people interview for a job here, our first and foremost question is, 'Do you like working with teens?' It's not even 'Do you like working with kids?' because teens are such a specific group with specific needs and strengths and challenges," Ms. Curtin said. "We hand-select for the right people. And once you have a group like that together, you can really make a difference. We are all on the same page, all looking out for our teen clients.

By looking out for local youth, the staff at Chop's is carrying out a legacy begun by Charles DeMeo, who was nicknamed “Chop.” DeMeo was a bright but poor kid born in Santa Rosa who worked his way through UC Berkeley and became a lawyer, mayor of Santa Rosa, and a multimillionaire. When he died in 1995, DeMeo left most of his estate, nearly $16 million, to a nonprofit agency - the largest charitable bequest in Sonoma County history. He specified that some of the funds go toward helping the county's homeless, primarily mothers with young children, and that the rest be used to create a place that Santa Rosa teens could call their own. Chop's opened six years later.

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