On Saturday, May 3, Cherry Street Youth Center will host a gathering at the Cherry Street West location to celebrate 30 years of operation. The celebration begins at 1 p.m., and will continue until 3 p.m.
According to Executive Director Jennifer Shields, the program serves over 100 children in the community daily after school.
“For 30 years for us to be doing what we are doing, I think it’s a God thing,” Shields said. “But the people in the community who support us are why we are here.”
Cherry Street Youth Center began in 1995, and currently serves local children at two locations. Cherry Street West at 719 N. Garfield St. serves students in the thirdfifth grade. This location also houses the greenhouse, and the Warehouse, where the middle school program takes place. The main office, and early elementary program is located at Cherry Street East, on the corner of Forest and Cherry Street.
“We will have a few inflatable games and bounce houses for the kids to enjoy, face painting, tours of the greenhouse, refreshments, and the playground will be open for the kids to use,” Shields said of the celebration.
“Our founder, Barb Prier, felt God’s calling to care for the latch key kids that needed someplace safe after school.” Shields explained the history of Cherry Street Youth Center in a recent newsletter. “We want everyone to see how their support and financial contributions through the years has transformed what we do here at Cherry Street every day.”
