Jordan’s Place, a community center for teens in the Warrenton area, wants the city of Warrenton to invest in its mission of providing a safe place for youth to socialize after school.Leaders of the volunteer group that runs the nonprofit met with the city’s board of aldermen June 6 to request aid in covering an operating budget supplied mostly by donations.Co-founder Kelli Clodfelter said Jordan’s Place engages youth with activities and mentoring, providing a way for them to occupy their time, especially if they can’t afford other activities. She asked officials to help fund Jordan’s Place in the same way the city funds athletic and swimming facilities.“I was a youth counselor before I was at (Jordan’s Place). ... I’ve had my fair share of working with the youth in this community, and we are lacking,” said Clodfelter.“It is awesome that kids like to play ball. It is awesome they like to go to the swimming pool. But there is more that we need to offer them.”Clodfelter said the organization’s board of directors wants to expand its offerings beyond fun, everyday activities to include more educational opportunities and trade skills classes, such as welding or automotive maintenance.However, much of the organization’s volunteer hours are spent on fundraising just to cover basic operating costs like rent and electricity, according to a funding request submitted to the city. That takes away from time that could be spent with the teens or offering more services.All of Jordan’s Place’s services, except for small snacks and drinks, are provided free of charge.According to a budget submitted to the city, other than money from fundraising and donations, Jordan’s Place expects to have about $5,100 in stable funding from several sources this year. That compares to expected expenditures of $18,000 for rent, $4,600 for electricity, $3,200 for insurance, $3,000 for general supplies, $2,700 for Charter Spectrum services and $5,000 for an audit.The total Jordan’s Place operating budget for 2017 is almost $38,000. The organization managed to raise more than it spent in 2016, but operated at an equivalent net loss in 2015, according to the submitted budget.Organizers are hoping the city can provide stable and consistent funding to fill as much of the operating budget as possible.“We would like to invite the city in to partner with us,” co-founder Cathy Pritchett told aldermen.“We all know the tragedy that’s hit our town over and over with the youth. Until we do something consistently for them, we’re going to continue to experience that.”The board of aldermen agreed to consider the funding request during upcoming budget discussions, which will begin late this month.A place in the communityJordan’s Place was founded two years ago, inspired by the loss of Clodfelter’s son, Jordan Lunsford, who died at the age of 17 from a drug overdose.The prevalence of drugs in the community was disheartening for Clodfelter and Pritchett. They began work to offer teens an attractive place to go, a more positive alternative to drugs and other dangerous activities. They now are supported by a team of volunteers and a board of directors, who are committed to providing help and support to youth who might not have that in their personal lives.One teen, who identified herself as Desiree, 18, explained to the board of aldermen that Jordan’s Place had given her stability and comfort after she had been moved from home to home throughout her life.“I didn’t really have anybody to turn to and Cathy took me in,” Desiree said. “Jordan’s Place has a good support system. If you need to talk to them, they’re there.”Desiree is now a high school graduate and is on her way to college. She and other young people find at Jordan’s Place the parental figures that are absent from their lives.“It isn’t all fun up there for those kids,” said board of directors President Chris Peatross. “They come to us and they look for discipline, too. They want to know that somebody cares enough to tell them what’s right and wrong.”For those volunteers, the mission of Jordan’s Place is deeply personal and emotional — especially Clodfelter.“I hope that you understand how much our youth need you,” she said, fighting back tears. “Let’s interact with our youth. Let’s save them. I don’t want to bury any more kids. I’ve done it way too much.“My children are buried here. I will never leave here, and I have two young ones who will grow up here. So I hope we can start changing things and make it different, because I want my seven-year-old and two-year-old to have different options than my teens did.”Support for a missionAlthough Jordan’s Place met with some resistance when it first opened in 2015, city leaders seemed receptive to the group’s message last week.“I’ve been up there a couple of times, and I know the impact it makes,” said Mayor Eric Schleuter.Schleuter added that he has seen students who are embarrassed or frustrated at school go to Jordan’s Place for help with their homework. Jordan’s Place offers tutoring and homework assistance on a regular basis.“Not just for the kids, but for other people in the community, I think you set a great example of being steadfast and being upright,” Ward 1 Alderman Mike Shilharvey said.“I’d sure like to commend you for all you’re doing,” added Ward 3 Alderman John Miller.“I wish we did have a wand that we could wave and say, ‘Here’s a million dollars,’ but that’s not realistic. What we can do for sure is ... spread the word. People are familiar with Jordan’s Place, but I don’t think people are familiar with what Jordan’s Place does.”Here’s the answer to that question. According to Jordan’s Place, the organization offers:• A safe place to socialize under the care of trusted adults who have been background checked.• Internet access for teens who don’t have it at home.• Outings, dances, socials and summer activities.• Transportation to church youth groups.• Mentoring and support from positive adult influences.• Free food and clothing in partnership with Sunrise Church.• Monthly Sunday family dinners open to the community, which Jordan’s Place teens help prepare.• Resume and job search assistance, mock interviews and transportation to interviews.• Community service work and volunteer projects.• Arts and skills classes.For information about Jordan’s Place, view the organization’s website, jordansplace-mo.org.Jordan's PlaceRecord photo