New teen center opens in Arlington Hts.

The Christian group renting the Arlington Heights teen center will hold a grand opening from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28.

At least one Chicago Bear, Nick Roach, will attend the open house at 112 N. Belmont Ave., as will Ray McElroy, former player and chaplain for the team, said Brian Booth, director of the center.

Chicago Metro Youth for Christ has named the site Campus Life Teen Center.

“We want to operate a safe place where parents can trust their kids are not getting into trouble and are with adults who care about them and are invested in their lives,” Booth said.

“Young people (need) people who are going to be there for them on a consistent basis to learn who they are and their struggles.”

The center is currently open from 3-5:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday as a drop-in center. The group is seeking donations and volunteers so it can be open more days and to hold Friday night events for high school students.

Booth said the staff and volunteers won’t force their beliefs on young people but they won’t hide who they are.

“We’re a Christian organization. We’re not shy about that, and we don’t hide that,” he said. “We are building a relationship with the students and within that introducing them to God’s story and how it has impacted our lives. In normal conversations spiritual issues will come up, and we will talk about it.”

Forty-five youngsters have dropped in, said Booth, with an average of 25 to 30 a day.

Events are free unless a big name band is appearing or trips or special events are held.

Eventually a Campus Life club will come in to talk about topics like dating and drugs.

The teen center had been operated by the village until budget issues caused it to close. Arlington Heights owns the building and rents it to Campus Life with no say over programming.

The center has a pool table, other games and two large televisions where youngsters can play video games.

The students will be asked what classes and activities they would like during the drop-in time such as cooking or computers or art, said Booth, then the staff will recruit appropriate volunteers.

Staff and volunteers painted the center’s walls to add some slate blue on the first floor and aqua in the lower level. Some new furniture has been donated, and new carpeting will be installed.

Booth also added framed photos of downtown Arlington Heights and Chicago as decoration, along with a wooden sign that says “Arlington Heights” that he found in the building.

Booth previously worked as a center director for Greater Wheeling Area Youth Organization and lives in Des Plaines with his wife, Kelli, and their son, Levi.

The center is on Facebook as Arlington Heights Campus Life and Booth can be reached at Brian.campuslife@gmail.com or (847) 577-5453.