Second Story Teen Center scholarship deadline is May 11

PRINCETON — Second Story Teen Center in Princeton now offers scholarships to current Second Story attendees.

The annual scholarships are worth up to $1,500 each. All Second Story attendees planning on attending college or trade programs are encouraged to apply.

Application deadline is May 11. Further information and application forms may be obtained by contacting Second Story Teen Center at 815-303-4111 or on the website www.secondstoryteencenter.org.

Second Story has been serving youth in Bureau County since 2009. The organization was founded by Jeff and Dana VanAutreve after their community began to see a rise in the number of teen suicides. The small town of Princeton had limited resources to address the complexity and number of issues at-risk youth were facing. The community also lacked a positive, safe place for teens to gather outside of school, leaving a gap for youth to engage in high-risk behaviors.

In response, the VanAutreves turned the second story of their flooring shop into a space where teens could hang out and named it Second Story, based not only on the location, but on the idea that everyone has a second story and a chance to rewrite the narrative to their own future.

The results were significant. They began to see a positive impact in their community and in the lives of the hundreds of teens that came to serve in their program.

In 2014, Second Story Teen Center became an incorporated 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Today, the organization operates as a teen drop-in center two nights per week. The center provides after-school programs and distributes basic need and food items to anywhere between 50 and 150 youth per night. The center receives 8,000 visits annually.

The VanAutreves encourage the community, parents and students to visit the facility any Tuesday or Friday after 6 p.m. and see what it offers — games rooms, reading area, a food pantry with basic hygiene products and all is free.

The center could also use more volunteers. Anyone interested may make donations to the program. Every little bit is appreciated.