Stockbridge Teen Center opens at new location in February
by Judy Brune
After celebrating with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, the new Teen Center will be ready to welcome students starting Feb. 1.
Located in the Crossroads Community Church office building, the Teen Center has moved from its original site in the Stockbridge Activity Center. After many months and much community support, Teen Center Director Bonnie Davidson and IMPACT Student Ministry Director Samantha Young are ready for the “big day.” As many community members are aware, Davidson and Young are a mother-daughter team who both share a passion for supporting local youth.
The Teen Center has received an overwhelming amount of community support – fundraising efforts have included a GoFundMe campaign, fundraising from the Village of Stockbridge (with volunteers coordinated by the G.U. Crew real estate team), along with many individual donors. Community and church members also have given their time and expertise by assisting with the renovation. A labor of love, dozens of volunteers have built, cleaned, painted and wired the Teen Center, creating a welcoming space for the young people of Stockbridge.
“Our entire community has been overwhelmingly supportive during this process,” shared Davidson. “We would love to have everyone come take a look at what we get to offer our students!”
Approximately 30 to 40 students attended the Teen Center each day at its previous location, coming and going throughout the hours of operation. At the current site, students will be able to enjoy snacks and fun activities like air hockey, pingpong, foosball, Xbox and PlayStation.
Starting Feb. 1, the center will be open Monday through Friday from 2:30-5:30 p.m, for students in grades 6-12 (on days that school is in session). It is located behind the Crossroads offices, with an entry at the back of the building. Also new: The center will provide bus transportation from Stockbridge Jr/Sr High and Heritage School at the end of each school day.
“Our church leadership and congregation have encouraged us throughout this process, and we couldn’t have done it without them,” said Davidson. Those interested in additional details can email teencenter@c3stockbridge.org.
The Teen Center Grand Opening will include an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 29 from 1-4 p.m., with the ribbon cutting scheduled at 1:15 p.m.
Photos provided by Bonnie Davidson
Directors Samantha Young (left) and Bonnie Davidson want local
students to know that “you belong here.”
A look inside the Teen Center located in the back of the
Crossroads Community Church office building.
Small tables provide a great place for students to enjoy
snacks and share laughs.
Students can use a well-lit corner seating area to read, draw or complete
homework.
