Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 5, 1995 TAG: 9507050043
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV9 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The changes were made in part to cope with the center's continuing financial limitations, said Bob Anderson, director of the center in downtown Christiansburg. He said the center's budget has been on a decline for the past two years.
Instead of opening each weekend for activities, the center is now focusing on special events both at the center and at area high schools, Anderson said. The center also sponsors youth retreats.
Among the upcoming events for area teens is a fourth anniversary celebration for the center on Thursday and Friday, July 20 and 21st.
National recording artists David and the Giants will perform Thursday, July 20, at Straight Street at 7 p.m. Admission will be $5.
The anniversary party will be July 21, featuring games, contests and music in the Christiansburg High School gym and auditorium from 5-7 p.m. Admission is $1. Following the party, David and the Giants will perform at 7:30. A $5 donation is suggested.
Other activities offered by the center this summer include a youth retreat July 13-15 at Fishnet in Front Royal. To reserve space, call Anderson at 381-1006.
With the center's budget problems, Anderson said, he has taken a part-time job as youth pastor at a local church, the Abundant Life Fellowship in Pilot. Anderson also continues to work with Straight Street programs in other communities and surrounding states.
Instead of opening the center each weekend, Anderson is organizing youth rallies monthly at different high schools as well as occasional youth retreats, he said.
The center is also open the first Wednesday night of each month for teens and youth groups to come and play games, with free food and drinks provided. The center will be open Wednesday from 7-9 p.m.
Straight Street opened in 1991 to offer teen-agers a fun time in a strong moral atmosphere, a place where they could play basketball, volleyball, and have supervised parties. The program opened successfully with 100 to 150 teens attending each Saturday night. Over the years Anderson offered a variety of activities, including the teen center, a cafe that was also open to parents and open gym nights in area public schools.
But Anderson said he could not meet his goal of providing teens with a good environment by himself, and required greater monetary support from the general public.
From a teen-age perspective, Straight Street "is a place with a good atmosphere where we're not afraid of getting in fights or being offered drugs," said Tim Ratcliffe, who was attending on a recent Wednesday night event.
Christiansburg Police Chief Ron Lemons described the center as "a good organization with a positive influence on teens."
Yancey Strickler contributed information to this story.
by CNB