An emergency meeting took place Monday to decide what's next after a youth center in Delhi Township burned down.
The people in charge of the non-profit are looking for answers.
Leaders discussed what's next for the kids of the youth center. And more specifically what is going to happen with the building. Board members had been making additions for several years, with the majority of the building was their popular indoor skate park. This whole scene is one big heartbreak
"It's amazing to watch everything you worked for go up in smoke," said Benjamin Schartow, Building 21 Executive Director.
Benjamin Schartow first had the vision to build a teen center when he was a teenager.
Four years ago his "Building 21" organization rented this space from Journey Life Church.
It includes many activities like a tutor room, computer lab, art lab, and a popular indoor skate park. That park is one a kind for mid-Michigan.
"It grew from like three years ago, we had like 15 to 17 students to now over 32 students a day. I think the influence in the community but also be here long enough and having longevity I think once you're here and you stick it out for a long time, people see that you are here to stay," said Schartow.
Around 7 p.m Sunday, workers were putting the final touches on the remodeled skate park when the fire started. The flames went up and leveled the building quickly.
Board members said they hope the community can take something out of this.
"One of the things he says in the Bible he can make beauty out of ashes and the oil of joy out of mourning and we're mourning, and we see the ashes, literally see the ashes. And that is what we know God is going to build better things out of that," said Pastor Jared Stepp, Building 21 board member.
But for right now, it leaves dozens of kids with no place to go.
"We're going to sit down as a board and talk about that. We feel like our vision is still rock solid we feel that we need a safe place for students, our mission is still going to continue," said Schartow.
Nobody was hurt in the fire. Delhi township investigators are still working to determine the exact cause. We will keep you updated.
The organization is accepting donations and volunteer help when the time comes to rebuild a new center.
TO DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION, CLICK LINK BELOW:
LINK: Building 21
