May 22, 2025
Business

Barnhart Crane gives teen center a lift

By NEWS TRIBUNE

Pictured at a check presentation (from left) are Barnhart Crane representatives Matt Fiorentini, Operations Manager; Dan Webb, Regional Director; Jim Meeks, Barnhart Cares Program Director; Dana VanAutreve and Janice Wamhoff, Second Story volunteer. (Kim Shute)

PRINCETON — Second Story Teen Center in Princeton is the recipient of a $1,000 donation from Barnhart Crane in Ladd.

The teen center regularly serves as a place for up to 100 teens to congregate in a safe space twice a week. They offer food, games, classes like cooking, sewing and guitar along with a pantry that allows teens to ‘shop’ for free for packaged food items, clothing and hygiene products.

Staffed entirely by volunteers and funded by donations, the center has expanded greatly in the 10 years since it was formed by Jeff and Dana VanAutreve.

Some recent donations have included expanded air conditioning for the center and pantry and a metal detector to increase security. Dana said the next big goal is to install an elevator in the building so it becomes more accessible to those who can’t make it via stairs.