Gordon Woods / Journal

Dr. Harold Allen, left, and pastor Jeff DeLaughter presented Michelle Witzke with $1,000 donation Thursday from the DeWitt County Substance Abuse Coalition.  The money will be used for a security system in The Vault teen and community center, currently taking shape on Mr. Lincoln's Square.  Witzke, who initiated the effort for the center, said she expects the center to be open by late summer.

CLINTON — The Vault teen and community center could open as early as late summer, and a $1,000 donation toward a security system will help keep the premises protected.

Dr. Harold Allen and pastor Jeff DeLaughter, of the DeWitt County Substance Abuse Coalition, met The Vault founder Michelle Witzke recently to present her a check from the coalition and to talk about the project.

Jeff DeLaughter said that young people were not only the next generation, but “the now generation.”  “And, we’re trying to help all we can.”

“This is the most persistent lady you’ll ever meet,” Harold Allen said about Michelle Witzke. 

“You know, when you’ve got a passion, you just don’t quit until you get there,” Witzke said.  “I raised my three kids here, and I know how much it’s needed.”

DeLaughter said, as a youth, he spent time, as many kids did, on the square.

“We didn’t have anything else then either, but we didn’t get into trouble,” DeLaughter said.

He said that, today, young people seem more separated into various groups, and he hopes the center can bring them all together.  DeLaughter expressed excitement that local youth were playing an important part in developing the center.

“The kids are the heart and soul behind this because they know their needs, they know what’s going to draw peers in here and what kind of help they need,” Witke said.

She said the kids working with adults has made all the difference.

“And, you see businesses getting involved, and that amazing,” DeLaughter added.

On this day, workers were busy welding metal wall studs and building the snack bar area.  Students decided to adopt an industrial look for the center, which has saved money by leaving exposed brick as part of the look.

Because fundraising is so much work, the initial phase of the project is focused on rehab of the main floor for program and services development.

“As long as we stick to the budget, we’ve got what we need for the first level,” Witzke said.  “It will take the summer to get set up, but we’re looking at late summer to be able to open.”

The snack bar area, for example, will be student-run, so some local businesses will help train students for that work.

Witzke said they are working to build their monthly operational budget.

“We have about half of what we need for operational costs, so we’re looking for more monthly partnerships.”

At the same time, fundraising also is under way to renovate the lower level, which is expected to cost about $38,000.

The additional space will make expansion of programs and activities possible.