“We are creating innovators who are solving problems in real time,” says Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside Teen Services Program Manager Montoya Dunn.
That creative process is happening in a new, exciting space.
In April, 2026, the Garner Holt Teen Innovation Center opened its doors at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Redlands – Riverside.
The first of its kind in the region, the Garner Holt Teen Innovation Center offers youth hands-on opportunities to build new skills as they bring their creative ideas to life.
Among the areas teens can explore are 3D printing, graphic design, PC building and E-sports. Creative entrepreneurship is flourishing, and the “Club Kids” are discovering possible future opportunities which may not have occurred them before.
Meanwhile, two special events are coming up!
On August 29th, Boys & Girls Club will host their teens-only recruitment event, “Total Teen Takeover”. Then, on September 12th, everyone’s invited to “A Day for Kids”, where visitors can see what teens are creating in the new space!
(And if you’d like to see all the exciting activities happening at the Teen Center, be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook!)
Montoya talked about her background as a Boys & Girls Club alumni, shared the story of the Garner Holt Teen Innovation Center and offered a closer look at the ways the new equipment will be allowing teens to grow, now and in the future.
On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:
- How Montoya first became inspired to work in youth leadership;
- The process of implementing the new space;
- Some of Montoya’s favorite stories from the Center’s first month;
- How the Garner Holt Teen Innovation Center is guiding youth as they develop entrepreneurial and workforce skills;
- Some capabilities which the new graphics printer allows;
- Some upcoming community events, and what the kids are making for them;
- Opportunities to get involved and support the Center, as a mentor;
- The time commitment involved, in mentoring or volunteering;
- What Montoya considers one of the most important lessons she learned, as a leader, since the new Center opened;
- A closer look at inclusion of more women in STEM and STEAM professions;
- Montoya’s vision for the next year.