Teens will soon have a place to hang out, play video games and – on sunny days – hit the basketball court, thanks to a new youth drop-in program offered by The Salvation Army White Rock Church and Community Ministries in British Columbia.

The church's multipurpose room will be equipped with an air-hockey table, arcade basketball game, foosball table and Xbox 360.

“I thought about what I enjoyed as a teen and what I enjoy now,” 20-year-old Justin Heslin, program co-ordinator, said. “I took what I knew and enjoy, and figured a lot of teens would enjoy it, too.”

Heslin – a youth ministries student at Pacific Life Bible College in Surrey – was brought on as an intern to help organize the drop-in program after a need was recognized for a safe place teens could spend time.

“We had heard from different sources that there had been a teen drop-in program closed down in the last couple years,” Noel Sterne, family outreach co-ordinator, said. “Nothing had really fully replaced it.”

The church decided to offer a solution and invite youth to enjoy food and refreshments, games and each other's company.

“Our goal is to just have a safe place they can come and have a healthy relationship with people,” Sterne said. “We want to give something back to the community.”

Read the full story at Peace Arch News