LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Wolfe Street Foundation held a ribbon-cutting and open house on Thursday for its new Youth Empowerment Project Teen Center in West Little Rock.
For over 40 years, the Wolfe Street Foundation has provided resources for adults facing addiction.
But recently, they realized that kids often need this support just as much.
"A resource for positive mental health resources, substance use prevention, substance use recovery," Wolfe Street Foundation Executive Director Justin Buck said. "Just to get kids the tools they need to live happy, healthy futures."
The facility will allow Arkansas teens to find support for their struggles.
"It's really about building a strong community for young people," Buck said. "Those seeking recovery or positive mental health resources or just seeking a group of like-minded people."
The curriculum officially begins in the fall, but the Wolfe Street Foundation has been piloting the program this summer.
Brailyn Levingston is one student who said he's only been here for a week or two, but it already feels like home.
"I got to meet people who also feel they need help like I do,” Levingston said. “I get to experience meeting wonderful new people, creating my trust circle to be bigger."
That's why he was excited about Thursday’s event—a ribbon-cutting for the facility ahead of the program's official first semester.
The event also featured multiple speakers, including Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin.
Staff members with the Teen Center spoke about how they plan to help kids by meeting in large groups to talk and having one-on-one meetings with adults they can relate to.
However, as student Logan Moya said, the program also provides plenty of time for students to enjoy themselves.
"The PlayStations in the game room are pretty fun,” Moya said. “And the basketball court.”
Enrollment is open now for the Teen Center’s fall semester.
People interested in signing up can click here to start the process.