New teen club opens with weekend dance

A new teen center has formed in Marion and opens this weekend with a back-to-school dance.

Debra Wisecarver, owner of Two Angels Thrift Store, serves as the new center director.

“I got the idea for this from the teens who volunteer at my store,” she stated.

Several students from McDowell High’s Early College program volunteer time at Two Angels as part of a community work project.

“A lot of them told me how glad they were to come here because there wasn’t anywhere else for them to go, and I thought that was just so sad,” she said.

Wisecarver had intentions of beginning an elderly and disabled program in McDowell. She would use the proceeds from her thrift shop to fund the effort. However, after hearing from her volunteers, she felt God was leading her in a different direction. So she talked it over with the teens who, she said, went crazy for the idea. Wisecarver then got with friend Paula Dicks, owner of Shepherd’s Hand Outreach, to see if the two could come up with a plan of action.

“We want to provide a safe place for them to go,” said Dicks. “We have lots of projects planned, along with outreach programs and support systems for teens who just need to talk.”

The new center, Agape Teen Club, is located at 37 State St. It is a Christ-centered outreach that will be available to adolescents ages 13 to 19.

“Since we are Christian-based, we also plan to offer Bible studies and group discussions on teen topics,” said Wisecarver. “I’m really excited about all of this. We want to be a place where kids can make friends and fellowship with each other.”

Currently, there is an adult board that manages (and supervises) the club and plans events. A youth board has also been established for input and ideas.

Starting next week, with the new school year, the club will be open Monday through Friday from 3 to 5:30 p.m. for study hall.

Nineteen-year-old Tiffany Reed, who is a volunteer at Two Angels and assistant director of the youth board, said she is excited about having a place to study with others her age.

“Parents are always busy and a lot of times don’t have time to help with homework or they don’t know how to help,” Reed stated. “So this will give us a chance to help each other in a group setting.”

Wisecarver is in the process of trying to get student teachers to frequent the club so there will be on-site tutors for those needing assistance.

The back-to-school dance will take place today from 7 to 11 p.m. for teens ages 16 to 19 and Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. for ages 13 to 15. The club is 3,000 square feet of open space -- plenty of room for “appropriate” dancing, said Wisecarver.

“We’ll have a DJ set up who will play music that has been edited for appropriateness,” said Dicks. “We also have a snack bar that will be stocked with plenty of food and drinks.”

There will be heavy adult supervision during the dance, and those who decide to leave early will not be allowed to come back.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol use,” said Wisecarver. “There will also be police check-ins for this dance and those to come. We want these kids to have a good time and not be influenced by those looking to get into trouble.”

Cost per person is $3 for ages 16 to 19 and $2 for ages 13 to 15. Free food and drinks will be available to those who bring school supplies with them to donate. Supplies collected from the event will be handed out at Shepherd’s Hand as needed, along with school clothes and food pantry items.

“Paula takes care of the body with her ministry. I take care of the soul,” said Wisecarver.

Since the club is nonprofit and funded through Two Angels Thrift Store, proceeds from the dance will go strictly toward building rent and food cost.

“We’re all volunteers here and not out for profit. We’re here for the teens,” said Dicks.

For more information on Agape Teen Club, call (828) 390-7139.