History Of His Place Teen Center
The History of His Place Teen Center
SHORT HISTORY HIS PLACE TEEN CENTER
His Place Teen Center opened on August 28, 1992 at 51 Lower Main Street in Norway, Maine in the Huntress Building between Swan’s Supply and Twin Town Glass, after a long search for the right building and location to reach youth, both boys and girls 11-18 in the Oxford Hills and surrounding area. We formed an Executive Board made up of members from area churches and ministries. Hosanna New Testament, Oxford Advent Christian, Oxford Hills Assembly of God, Grace Fellowship, Open Door Ministries.
We had as our goal to provide a safe place for the youth to come, break down the walls these youth had, as a result, get to know them better. We felt that unlike other things that had been tried we wanted to give these youth spiritual direction. We would attain this by providing them a with a safe, well supervised place to come where they could play pool, ping pong, air hockey, various board games and also a place outside to play basketball, and volleyball, letting them know we were here for them and wanted to help.
We feel this format has been successful because over 2,500 (conservatively) young people have come through the doors at His Place Teen Center to date. We have had a good mix of boys and girls ages 11-18 years old. We have been able to get to know many of them because they like what we are doing here for them and they tell their friends to come also. We have seen many come the first time angry at the world, the second time they are smiling a little and the next time they come they feel like they own the place and belong here. We have found that many come from backgrounds of sexual abuse, alcoholic abuse, and some feel there is no use to continue in life and think suicide is the answer. We have had many challenges since opening and have learned a great deal about the need for such a place for the youth. We look forward to how God is going to help us show these youth that He loves them and wants them to serve him because they want to. We do not force the Bible on anyone and we have no intention of doing so.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
(January of 2008)
In 1996 we moved into the Food Pantry basement and operated (Sept.-April) at Christ Episcopal Church, corner of Paris Street and Green Street in Norway until March 9th of 2001. We moved into our new building on 254 Webber Brook Road in Oxford March 16, 2001. We meet here every Friday night from 6:00-9:00 PM. We offer two (2) pool tables, ping pong, foose ball, air hockey, video games, various board games, and of course LOUD KICKING MUSIC, with free refreshments. We also have a snack bar with very reasonable prices. We provide a safe place for the youth to meet with their friends and meet new ones.We currently have about 35-40 youth in attendance and growing every Friday night. We have 12 trained, qualified, dedicated men and women staff that really enjoy being with youth. We also have a totally voluntary Teen Church service (started Sept. 19th, 2003) from 9:15-11:15 PM with snack and soda served at the end of the night for all in attendance. We also do special outreaches with special bands, ministries and guests that come to minister as the Lord provides.
We have 12 senior Staff people and some of the youth in training to be Staff helpers with a senior Staff member as a sponsor. These people feel a call to work with the youth and watch over them during hours of operation. We have at least (1) man and (1) woman on duty each night we are open.
In September of 1998 we contracted to purchase 2 1/2 acres of meadow land at 254 Webber Brook Road in Oxford, Maine. We completed paying for the land by September of 2000. On August 28th 2000 we agreed to go ahead with the plans to put in a slab for a 26’ x 52’ two story gambrel building. We raised the funds to complete the building before the end of the year. Friday March 16, 2001 we celebrated our grand opening. We now have our own building located on the property with a softball field, volleyball pit, horseshoe area. In November of 2001 we put in a paved 30’ x 50’ basketball court. We lit up the court so they could play after dark in 2003 and is used almost every week with out fail.
November 11, 2002 we put in the slab for our newest addition a 36’ x 70’ two story building that will house 2 wheel chair bathrooms, a 28’ x 32’ Multi-purpose room,
a 14’ x 16’ commercial kitchen, a fitness room, shower room, and administrative office. Upstairs we will have a 16' x 20' Acitivity Room with carpet, couches, chairs, (staffed or monitored or both). (This will give us a room to go where it will be quiet to talk with youth, or parents when needed). A 16' x 14' Ham radio room, with another 16' x 14' class room on the other end.
This phase II is still under construction, (all paid for to date). We need less than $30,000.00 to complete. More programs are being added as we expand and grow.
Phase I opened in March of 2001 26' x 52' two story Gambrel style with a 26' x 40' Game Room. Phase II started Nov. of 2001,(still under construction) is a 36' x 70' two story 10 inch pitch roof houses a big 28' x 32' Mult-Purpose Room, a full commecial kitchen, 2 wheel chair accessible bathrooms, fitness room and office space.
