ABOUT EDGE TEEN CENTER
Empowering teens to impact the world
Our Mission
EMPOWER TEENS TO IMPACT THE WORLD
EDGE is a safe place just for teens after school where all teens are valued and accepted.
At EDGE teens can…
EAT
Snacks and drinks can be purchased at the café for a small price. Free healthy snack are available.
LEARN
- Quiet areas to study and do homework
- Free tutoring
SERVE
EDGE Teen Center helps students who are in need of community service hours by linking them with local agencies in need of volunteers. We provide transportation to/from service sites, making it easy for students to serve our surrounding community.
CONNECT
Instead of being alone at home, teens have opportunities to connect with new friends, develop meaningful relationships with adults who care about them and take part in teen-focused programs.
HANG OUT
Teens can hang out with friends; play video games on one of our gaming consoles (Nintendo Switch, Xbox); play pool, ping pong, or air hockey; or take part in outdoor activities.
Success Stories
WHY DO TEENS IN OUR AREA NEED EDGE?
Every teenager is different. For some high schoolers, the needs are fairly simple: a safe place to spend the hours after school instead of being alone at home while parents are at work.
For others, EDGE offers teens a sense of connection and purpose. It’s more than a place to hang out, stay safe, study and participate in life changing programs – it’s a place where they can interact with caring adults who strive to help teens develop character traits that will enable them to make a positive impact in their world.
“I’ve become so much more since I started coming to EDGE. One big thing that EDGE has done for me is break my shyness streak that I had going for about 5 years, thank you for that. Also, without EDGE I wouldn’t have a lot of the friends that I have now.” – Teen
WHAT DO STUDENTS GAIN FROM COMMUNITY SERVICE?
Increased self-esteem and a sense of purpose. Leadership and decision-making skills. Experience serving under-resourced people in their own community and the empowerment that comes with knowing they can make a difference. Long-term, we expect these experiences will instill in teens a lifelong value for serving their community.
“Every single week, there are some students serving who have already achieved their required number of service hours yet continue to do so for the love of serving,” says EDGE’s community service coordinator.
HOW DOES OUR COMMUNITY BENEFIT FROM EDGE’S COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM?
The program helps meet a need of many local social service agencies that are in particular need of volunteers during after-school hours – a time of day that is more difficult to recruit adult volunteers. Some comments from these service site partners:
“It’s great to see the young generation take pride in helping others, and the clients we serve love to see them. They are a great help to us and our community.”
“The kids learn how to work with one another, as well as what to expect at a real job. The students continue to grow their leadership skills as they move into careers and into the community at large. The EDGE program is helping to develop young people who in my opinion will be our leaders of tomorrow.”
Our Team
Sara Gabbard
Lauren Wolfe
Melissa Rosser
Zach Hibbard
General Info
Sela Weaver
LaDon Laney
Our Board
Brent Lovell – President
Keith Wilson– Vice President
Celia Klug Weingartner– Secretary
Steve Silverberg – Treasurer
Yasmen Brown-Jones
Kim Kuchenbuch
Julie Shaffer
Bryan Boynton
Sang Tran
Michelle Wilkerson
Lindsay Ellis
EDGE@East Location
located across from LEHS Main Campus
Hours: 2:30pm-6:00pm
EDGE@West Location
located across from LWHS Main Campus
Hours: 2:30pm-5:00pm
FAQs
Is there a cost to get into EDGE Teen Center?
Beginning in the fall of 2023, there will be no annual fee for students to have unlimited use of EDGE for the entire school year during open hours of 2:30pm-6:00pm. In addition, because community service is a core value of EDGE, teens will be asked to help with 5 hours of student service sometime during the year, either in the center (ex: helping restock the cafe) or by serving out in the community through the EDGE Community Service Program. If you would like to make a donation to support the program, donations can be made online or by check.
Can anyone get into EDGE Teen Center?
EDGE Teen Centers are for 9th-12th grade students from any district or homeschoolers.
Am I required to come into EDGE every day?
No. Some students attend each day; others use it occasionally. EDGE is here when you need it. Use it as often as you would like.
Do I need to sign up before I come to EDGE?
When a teen visits EDGE for the first time, without registration paperwork, by providing emergency contact information. Following that first visit, registration paperwork will need to be completed. The allows EDGE to keep all students safe and apply for grants to support the program.
Once I’ve checked in, am I allowed to leave and return to the center?
Students have the ability to check in again if they need to return to their schools for after-school activities. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to set guidelines with students regarding whether or not they are allowed to leave EDGE during open hours. EDGE staff will not force teen to stay but will enforce a check-out and check-in process.
Are items in the café free?
EDGE offers all foods and drinks at a lower rate than most area restaurants, but there is a charge. Many days there are free healthy snacks available or opportunities to earn extra snacks by participating in programming.
Are parents allowed to come into EDGE?
Yes, parents are welcome. Although parents aren’t allowed to roam the teen center for safety reasons, you may check-in at the front desk before being escorted in to pick up your teen.