Campus Life Provides Outreach for Area Teens

It is no coincidence that the Campus Life Teen Center, which was created by Youth for Christ and whose mission is to help teens with life issues, has served nearly 300 adolescents since it opened in September 2011.

Because of budget constraints, the Arlington Heights teen center at 112 N. Belmont Ave. closed three years ago. But the Christian group saw an opportunity to serve the community and has been an outlet for middle school and high school students in the area.

Brian Booth, the center’s director, is passionate about working with young teens.

“I think it is so important at that time of their lives to have someone who’s consistent, takes an interest in their lives, and just really (is) willing to spend time into getting to know them and care about them as a person,” Booth said.

Teens often go through many changes in their formative years.

“Middle school is big transition time — physical, emotional, spiritual, and they’re searching for who they are and who they want to be,” he said.

The center offers a drop-in program, where teens can come play pool, video games, pingpong, watch movies and relax with friends. For the summer, the center is open from noon to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

• Like Campus Life Teen Center on Facebook

Teens can use the center’s small group gathering to talk about issues ranging from relationships, to dating, to drugs, to alcohol and any other life problems.

When school is back in session, the center has the Campus Life Club, which meets once a week in a large group setting.

Club members play games, participate in activities and discuss the topic of the night.

“We talk about it from a biblical perspective,” Booth said. “We always present what the Bible says and what we believe, and the kids can choose what they do with that.”

In less than a year of operation, Booth has seen kids at the center form good relationships with adult leaders.

“I think we’ve seen some kids started out making bad choices, but just through they’re relationships and connections here, have turned that around a little bit,” he said. “At this early age, (we want to) get kids directed on the right path, because if they start going down the wrong path, it could get worse.”

Youth for Christ is a nonprofit and receives no government assistance, Booth explained. The group is 100 percent funded by individuals, organizations and churches that believe in its mission.

•  Donate to the Arlington Heights Campus Life Center

One of the group’s goals is to raise enough funds to transition its two part-time workers to full-time status in order to expand community outreach and programming.

The center is seeking volunteers to help with teens, small group settings and maintenance of the building.

Teens from all backgrounds and areas are welcome at the center.

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