Kennesaw Opens New Teen Center for At-Risk Youth

Saturday, the city of Kennesaw will host its grand opening celebration for a new Teen Center.

The Center will include an after-school program providing learning initiatives for at-risk teens in the community, including tutoring opportunities and career counseling. Participants, recommended by local teachers and counselors, will also have access to a computer lab and engage in recreational activities.

What gives the program a special edge is that it was designed for teens by teens.

“We recognized that there were teens in our community who needed a place to go after school that was safe, educational and fun,” said Mayor Pro-Tem and City Council member Bill Thrash. “This after-school program is designed to be that kind of resource.”

Thrash served as a liaison for the city's Youth Council, a group of civic-minded high schoolers who first came up with the idea for the program. The teens also actively assembled plans for the initiative and will serve as volunteers at the center.

The program will operate from 3-7 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cobb County School District’s Success for All Students program will fund transportation to the center.

Members of the community are invited to attend the grand opening celebration on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 4-7 p.m. at the Teen Center, located at 2775 South Main Street in downtown Kennesaw. Guests will be able to tour the new facility and meet staff and volunteers.