The Tiffin Seneca Teen Center, more recently referred to as “The Hub” has been in existence for the past 26 years. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1991 by a group of adults in response to a school-wide survey that found junior high and high school students wanted a safe, friendly, comfortable drop-in location to gather after school.
As a response to that request, the Teen Center was opened in the old Skateland, a roller skating rink (now the public library parking lot), across from East Tower. The first board of trustee put in long hours cleaning, painting, and fixing up the building and included Kiwanians, Rotarians and other adults interested in helping kids. We established a teen advisory council and developed a very basic and practical operation with a shoestring annual budget.
No fees have ever been charged and the center has no ties to any church or formal organization. The director is often a college junior or senior with two or three assistants who are present when the center is open. These are often college students from Heidelberg University or Tiffin University on their way to a career in education, public service or social work. Very fortunately for the center, their fraternities and sororities bring much additional support.
Throughout its 26-year history, the Teen Center always has been a safe, after-school drop-in place for young people. The youth is expected to follow the center’s few rules (behavior, language and respect) and in return get to listen to their music, play games, (foosball, ping pong, pool, air hockey, Wii, PS4, etc.), do their homework, watch appropriate videos, get tutoring, use computers, talk to a mentor or take part in special programs (ask them about “Day at the Berg”). Once a week are party nights which include dances, pizza or special celebrations. We even had a couple volunteers who taught them about organic gardening!
Community members and university organizations such as Heidelberg’s Excelsior fraternity have been very helpful in providing leadership and in developing appealing programs and activities aimed at our population.
The center is open 3-6 p.m. when school is in session. Hours are extended on party nights. The center is supported by grants from local charitable organizations and private individuals and all member of the Tiffin Teen Center Family appreciate, and thank all of those for any and all support they have given over the years… and we will continue to appreciate and thank you for future contributions.
