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Friday, Jan. 25, 2002
From staff reports
APEX - In a culture replete with negative influences and powerful pressures, youth need positive things to do and supportive places to go. Some people just bemoan the need. Others do something about it.
In the spring of 2001, members of Olive Chapel Baptist Church began dreaming of an alcohol- and drug-free place for teens. With assistance from a steering committee, youth minister Chris Partain spearheaded a project to establish the "Olive Chapel Lighthouse." With funding provided by church members and another private source, the Lighthouse now occupies a 3,000-square-foot storefront space in a shopping center just around the corner from Apex High School.
The location - several miles from the rural church - is intentional. Church members want the Lighthouse to be a community outreach and believed that having it on the church's grounds might hinder that goal.
Nearly 200 different youth visited the Lighthouse during its first month, according to Partain, including youth from the surrounding area and from various denominations.
To maintain a safe and orderly atmosphere, the Lighthouse operates like a club. Prospective members must attend a membership class, and they receive a coded membership card. Members "scan" in and out to keep track of use and as a record for parents if needed.
More than 80 youth attended the first membership class held on January 20, Partain said. The class, to be held monthly, focuses on helping youth develop alcohol- and drug-abuse refusal skills.
Jan Cartledge of Apex led the first session, explaining how alcohol impacted her life when a drunk driver took her daughter's life in 1994. The youth also learned about health risks and other consequences of using alcohol and drugs.
"The class was eye opening for me," said Crystal Wise, a 16-year-old who attended. "With what Jan said it made me realize how important it is that we make good choices."
The Lighthouse is loaded with youth-friendly activities such as billiard, foosball and air hockey tables; a Christian music audio center; video game systems; board games; computers with Internet access and printers; and a snack bar. With 27-inch television sets mounted in each corner and a 61-inch model on the back wall, youth can view sports programs, Christian music videos or simulcast events.
A state-of-the-art sound and lighting system supports periodic live concerts. The Lighthouse will also host "fifth quarter" parties after local ball games, weekly student lunches, and get-togethers keyed to major sporting events like the Super Bowl and March Madness.
The facility has been a hit. "I'd come here every day if it was open! I love the pool tables, and the concert last Friday night was awesome," said Josh Hooks, a 13-year-old who is one of the first members.
The Lighthouse is staffed by adult volunteers. It is open on Friday nights from 6 p.m.-12 a.m., Saturday nights from 6 p.m.-11 p.m., and Tuesdays for lunch from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
"If God wills," Partain said, the center will expand its programs to open other days of the week. "Right now the focus is to keep up with the membership and continue to provide great events for the youth."
Plans for February include a Super Bowl outreach and a concert by "The 7 Method." An official Grand Opening set for March 1-3 will culminate with a concert by the recording artist "Pillar."
The Lighthouse welcomes all youth in grades 7-12. Additional information and directions can be found on the Web at www.OliveChapelLighthouse.com.
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