Local pastor opening up teen center to help Lake City’s youth
By Patricia Burkett | WBTW Anchor/ Reporter
Published: February 2, 2009
Updated: February 3, 2009
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nowBuzz up!Those behind a new teen center in Lake City hope it will make a big difference in that town.
The “Teens Be Teens Empowerment Center” is set to open on North Matthews road, not far from Lake City High School.
One local pastor wanted to find a way to get teenagers off the streets, and into a place that’s far more positive.
Local pastor opening up teen center to help Lake City’s youth
Patricia Burkett/ WBTW
Teens Be Teens Empowerment Center
By Patricia Burkett | WBTW Anchor/ Reporter
Published: February 2, 2009
Updated: February 3, 2009
» 1 Comment | Post a Comment
vote
nowBuzz up!Those behind a new teen center in Lake City hope it will make a big difference in that town.
The “Teens Be Teens Empowerment Center” is set to open on North Matthews road, not far from Lake City High School.
One local pastor wanted to find a way to get teenagers off the streets, and into a place that’s far more positive.
Pastor Onika Brown grew up in Lake City, and says she doesn’t have the fondest memories when it comes to her teenage years.
“With me going through problems as a teen and growing up in this area and looking around…seeing the need that there is nowhere positive for the teenagers to be,“ Brown said.
Brown set out to change that, and after nine years of visions for a teen center, her dreams are finally becoming a reality.
Brown rented what was once a store and pool hall, and with a lot of determination and a little elbow grease, she’s turning it into a center where teenagers can avoid the pitfalls of the streets.
“We just decided to do something that will bring about positivity and cause our teens to grow up and be productive citizens now and for the future,“ said Brown.
The center received donations of pool tables and computers that Brown plans to make available to the teens.
There’s also plans to renovate a baseball park in the back lot, what Brown hopes to one day call, a diamond in the rough.
“We want to make a difference in this community and bring some positive things for the teens here in this area that they can look back on and say that their town that they grew up in, was a place that they enjoyed,“ Brown said.
Brown hopes her vision for the teen center will blossom into a hub for local youth, where the stresses of the street melt away and bright futures are born.
Pastor Brown hopes to open the center on March 6th.
She says she still needs monetary donations as well as items for the young people.
If you would like to help out you can send a monetary donation to:
Teens Be Teens Empowerment Center
Or you can get more information by calling: (864) 274-7414
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