The Depot Receives Community Foundation Grant

THE DEPOT TEEN CENTER RECEIVES COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT TO BOOST SAFETY AND PROGRAMMING

Press Release dated June 15, 2015

The Depot Jordan Valley Teen Center, located at 116 Main Street in East Jordan, Michigan, recently received a community foundation grant to purchase new technology and equipment. The grant was awarded through the Charlevoix County Community Foundation during their spring 2017 grant cycle.

In an effort to provide a safe place for area teens, the technology and equipment obtained through the grant will include security cameras for each room in the facility. Computer workstations will also be purchased and used by the teens to study and work on homework assignments. The computers can also be used to provide enrichment programming on an individual or group basis.

The Depot is a faith-based 501c(3) organization whose mission is to provide area teens a safe place to “be” and a path to “become” the young men and women that the community and their families need. The Depot comes to fruition after more than 2 years of collaboration between several area churches and overwhelming support of community members, businesses, and organizations that identified this glaring need.

Since opening on January 27, 2017, with 153 teens pouring through the doors, The Depot has served over 230 teens with an average of 60+ teens stopping in every Friday. However, to best serve the teens and accommodate summer travel and long weekends, The Depot will instead be open on Wednesdays from 3:00-7:00pm.

One unique aspect of The Depot compared to other teen centers is mentoring by its volunteers with a heart to pour into the youth in the community. Since the teen’s biggest complaint is the teen center is not open more days, The Depot plans to expand the days they are open and the programming that is provided. To make this happen, more volunteers are needed as well as additional funding by individuals and businesses throughout the community.

Pete Elliott, Administrative Director for The Depot, states “having the security system will allow volunteers to spend more time focusing on programming and interacting with the teens while the additional set of eyes are watching.” Although volunteers are stationed in each room of the facility, the monitored video feed will provide an additional layer of safety and protection for the teens and volunteers alike.

The Charlevoix County Community Foundation is a local charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens of Charlevoix County by building a permanent endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking, and providing leadership resources to serve the community. More information about the Charlevoix County Community Foundation may be found at www.c3f.org or by calling 231-536-2440.