Youth Ministries

Even though the aging population of the West End has long ago seen their children grown and moved on, one of the first concerns they voiced was for the young people here.

"The youth need wholesome activities," they said at the first meetings of neighborhood residents.

The best way to fight crime is to prevent it, and youth programs that engage young people and offer them hope, support, positive role models and activities is the best crime prevention available.

So West End Ministries invited the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater High Point to start a club here. In the beginning, we paid the youth director and Rankin Memorial United Methodist Church provided the space. Now, the club is still operating out of the Methodist church, but its employees come to us from the Boys and Girls Club.

Because the club is there, young people have some place to go after school. They can get homework help during "Power Hour" and they can play games, watch videos and access safe and educational internet.

With the arrival of Chris Gillespie, WEM's program director, new programs are beginning to emerge for the neighborhood youth. The Emanon Teen Center opened in March in the lower level of the West End Community Center. Teens collaborated in fixing up their space, painting the walls and designing murals.

We've started scout troops for both girls and boys. And every summer, West End Ministries hosts a Back-to-School party to provide school supplies to the young folks here.

During the school year, the Boys and Girls club is open on school days from 2:30 to 7 pm. School holidays, the club is usually open at 9 am. For more information, call director Alison Inman at 886-5170.

Information about the Boy Scouts, call Chris Gillespie, 884-1105.
Information about the Girl Scouts, call Alison Inman at 886-5170.