Christian group chosen for Arlington Hts. teen center

Metro Youth for Christ/Campus Life passed one hurdle for setting up a drop-in center at the Arlington Heights Teen Center.

The village Youth Commission unanimously selected that organization from two finalists Thursday night. The other group was Greater Wheeling Area Youth Outreach.

The commission said village staff will meet with representatives of Metro Youth for Christ and negotiate a plan for the building.

The Arlington Heights village board will have the final say on any lease of the Teen Center. It was operated by the village as a drop-in center for middle school and high school students, but was closed in the spring due to municipal budget issues.

In a short statement issued Friday, the commission said it selected Metro Youth for Christ for several reasons, including not charging youngsters for admission to the drop-in program.

Also, it will operate the drop-in center for more hours than GWAYO proposed; it planned to survey the needs of area young people and design a program that fits them; it offers more flexibility; and because it has a history of providing youth services and programs.

GWAYO wanted to use the building much of the time for its structured program for middle and high school students in the area served by Northwest Suburban High School District 214.

These students, who are recommended by their schools, often come from low-income families and are considered to need tutoring and incentives to go to college.