Benjamin Schartow had been laying the groundwork for developing a teen center when a tragic accident involving local teens put his goal on the fast track.
Benjamin’s initiative, Building Twentyone, opened six years ago to provide a safe, supervised party space for teens. Since then, B21 has become much more: a free, supportive, after-school drop-in center for grades 7-12, offering enrichment programs at little to no cost. Its mission is to give students the opportunity to develop life-changing values while coaching them to be actively engaged in their families, schools, and communities.
“We’re here to help them find their passion and their purpose,” Benjamin said. “We invest in them so they can become contributing members of society.”
This past winter, B21’s programs included culinary, artistic crossfit, photography and, in partnership with iTech, game design. Past programs have been similarly wide-ranging, including an open mic and creative showcase event, a team-building and leadership program, final exam prep with tutors and teachers on hand to help, and much more.
Building Twentyone also happens to boast the only indoor skate park within 75 miles. It’s open fall and winter — to grades 7-12 during the week and ages 8+ on weekends.
B21 clearly fills a need. “We’ve had 2,600 [cumulative] visits since fall,” said Benjamin. “We usually have about 30-40 kids participating in the drop-in center in the winter, and 25-30 involved in the programs.”
Benjamin is grateful for the partnerships that have supported Building Twentyone by, among other things, providing space and financial resources. His main need now, he said, is to attract additional individuals to B21’s board of directors, and urges anyone who would like to become involved to contact him.
Building Twentyone is at 1288 North Cedar Street, Mason, 517.889.5103, buildingtwentyone.org.