Christian group reopening Arlington Heights teen center

Arlington Heights’ former Teen Center is expected to open again in September, according to an official of the Christian organization that has leased the building.

The Arlington Heights Village Board approved a lease and special use zoning for the center this week, clearing the way for Metro Chicago Youth for Christ to take possession of the building at 112 N. Belmont Ave. The organization cannot have young people there until after Sept. 6, when the board is expected to take final action, said James McCalister, director of Building & Health Services.

The center will open about a month after Youth for Christ gets possession, said its executive director, Richard A. Selk.

“We need to handle staffing issues and get marketing materials to kids,” Selk said. “So many of our programs are tied to the school year, we want to get started in September.”

The three-year lease calls for the organization to pay $700 a month plus utilities, snow removal and custodial services.

The village is only a landlord and is not involved in programming at the center, stressed Village Manager Bill Dixon. Previously the village operated the center, but closed it in 2010 because of budget issues. The village’s Youth Commission recommended allowing Youth for Christ to lease the building.

“Our goal is to get young people to join Bible-based Christian churches,” said Selk. “We will have no church services there whatsoever. We are not a church.”

Youngsters who have family members or friends who go to church will be encouraged to join them, he said. Recommendations of churches with active youth groups will also be available.

Students will use the recreation equipment already in the center — playing pool, ping-pong, air hockey and watching television, said Selk. Small groups will discuss issues such as dating, homosexuality, abortion, divorce and eating disorders. One-on-one mentoring and homework tutoring also will be available.

Initially the center will be open after school and in the early evening, Selk said. Youth for Christ probably will recruit middle school students first because those were the youngsters who used the center before, although high school students will be welcome, too.

The center will be staffed with three or four full-time people and probably 20 to 30 volunteers, Selk said.