SchoolMatters Weblog

Woman, teens turn house into hangout

8/20/06 * Daily Progress [full story]

Brenda Miller, a Murray Elementary and Western Albemarle High School parent, disliked reading stories in the newspaper about local teens getting into trouble. So she did something about it.

The Zone Teen Center in Crozet, Miller’s brainchild, opens its doors as an after-school hangout on Monday, having held a grand opening celebration Saturday.

Miller grew up in a military family and, when her family was stationed overseas, she mingled with other teens in youth centers on the bases.

She and a group of 12 local teenagers converted a house at 6406 Hillsboro Lane in Crozet into a place where teens can go after school to mingle and avoid mischief as well as the dangers of the Internet.

The center will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. weekdays throughout the school year.

Teen Center Grand Opening

In June I reported on the community effort to establish a teen center in Crozet.  The Zone Teen Center is now having its grand opening this Saturday, August 19th.  The Zone will begin regular hours Monday, August 21st, and will be open weekdays from 4-8 PM.  Here is how the organizers have described the center:

"The purpose of The Zone is to provide a safe, loving environment for teens in the community to hangout after school.  Recognizing that teens need fellowship and encouragement from each other and that the best way to reach kids is through kids.  We’re hoping to provide peer-to-peer tutoring as well as tutoring from volunteers."

GRAND OPENING
Saturday, August 19th * 6:00 - 8:00 pm
6406 Hillsboro Lane, Crozet VA, 823-7753

Featuring:

• Creole Soul Patrol, Winner of Western Albemarle's Battle of the Bands!
• Pizza, Sodas, Ice Cream

Brian Wheeler