Mission is woven into activities for children

By Linda Linonis

The program provides a safe, after-school haven offering tutoring and recreation.

LIBERTY — Refuge Ministries Inc. zeroes in on the intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual makeup of the youths it serves.

Those wide-ranging goals are the objective of Andy Denen, director.

Ask participants what they like about the he 9,000-square-foot facility at 1155 Churchill-Hubbard Road and they’ll say it’s about hanging out with friends, playing video games and getting homework out of the way.

The serious mission of Refuge is woven into activities in which young people learn and just have fun. “We’re interested in the whole student,” the 25-year-old Denen said.

Refuge Ministries lives up to its name by providing a safe, afterschool haven for 12- to 17-year-olds. “That’s our target group,” Denen said, but added that he won’t turn away a younger person. “We welcome everybody,” he said.

Denen said Refuge is open from 3 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. While at Refuge, young people can:

UDo their homework in a quiet environment in a room specifically set up for this purpose. “We also offer one-on-one tutoring,” Denen said, noting that a certified teacher, Stephanie Goodyear, volunteers in this area. Denen also said the facility has computers for students to use for homework research and stressed that the computers are monitored.

UEngage in recreational activities. Denen said video games are very popular, along with pool, ping pong and foose ball.

UParticipate in a physical fitness activity. Denen said youth can choose their own activities but the staff engages them once a night in a physical activity that “gets their heart beating faster.”

UHang out. Young people can talk to friends and make new ones. Denen said he uses this relaxation time to talk with young people about their lives and the choices they’re making. “I want to challenge them to step up and be leaders of tomorrow,” Denen said. Boredom can lead to bad choices, he said, noting “we want to provide a positive influence” and “fill their time.”

UHave a snack. Refuge provides a light meal and fruit is available.

Denen said he was motivated to lead Refuge Ministries because of his own upbringing. “I was blessed.” His father, Robert Denen, was pastor of Liberty Community Church and founded Safe House in 2004. It is a private, non-profit, faith-based social-service agency in Youngstown that provides services to troubled adolescents and their families.

Denen said Refuge doesn’t promote any religious denomination, though he described himself as a Christian, noting he wanted that to be “real and relevant” to young people. He stressed that staff doesn’t get involved in conversations about religion unless a young person initiates the dialogue.

News of Refuge Ministries has spread through word of mouth, he said. About 40-50 students attend daily; most are from Liberty and Girard.

Dianna Lane, 16, a sophomore at Liberty High School, has been attending the program for two months and thinks it’s “awesome.” She liked it so much, she has volunteered to tutor other students in geometry. “My parents are happy I come here. It helps me stay on-track and make good decisions,” she said.

MeKayla Murchison, 11, a sixth-grader at William S. Guy Middle School, comes with her older sister, Alexus Carnathan, 14, an eighth-grader at Guy. “It’s fun to play games. We also talk about life,” MeKayla said.

“It’s a cool place,” said Jabril Brown, 15, a Liberty High sophomore. “It’s a place to be safe and keep out of trouble.”

A member of the basketball team, he comes after practice to “see my friends and hang out.” But, he also does his homework there. “I like the setup.”

Aaron Brown, a 17-year-old Liberty senior, said he attended to play basketball and games. “It’s better than hanging out at the mall,” he said. “This is a safe place to come and be with friends.”

Chris Brattan, 21, Refuge floor-manager who supervises the daily operation, was involved in volunteering at the Safe House ministry. “I think I’m the person I am today because of that,” he said. He admitted that he might have been swayed in the wrong direction but affiliation with Safe House and Refuge helped him understand the importance of decisions and choices directing the course of his life. “I’m thankful for the choices I made,” he said.