Soaring Above Teen Center
Welcome to
Our mission is to provide all teens the ability to build self-confidence, integrity and the leadership qualities needed to become proud, responsible and productive members of society.
Our Facility
Find us right on Main Street in Ionia! Our building is easily accessible, and we provide a warm welcoming environment for every teen.
Location: 318 S Jefferson Street, Ionia MI 48846
Telephone: (616) 523-4570
Hours:
Monday through Thursday 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm
What We Do
We are providing an Environment that allows each member to be safe in their beliefs, gender, families financial status and educational abilities. We provide each member homework help and educational opportunities for each member to take advantage of. We encourage each member to be the very best they can, while learning to encourage others to do the same.
Mission
Soaring Above’s Purpose
Every game has a purpose to help educate and help our members grow. Examples: if a member is shooting pool they are learning the basics of geometry or a board game helps with reading and math skills. Everything is designed to help them learn self-discipline and good sportsmanship.
A Word
From Our Director
Hi, I’m Ken Baker. My wife Sally and I are the founders of Soaring Above Ionia Teen Center.
After a very rough childhood (and early adulthood), I was able by the grace of God to turn my life around. I got my GED and ultimately earned my college degree.
When my daughter was 16, she fought an intense battle with depression. I began working with the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena, Michigan, where I developed programs to help troubled and at-risk youth. I worked with the sheriff’s department, State Police, the local police, and juvenile court system to help young people with drug related issues.
We founded Soaring Above to help teens overcoming specific problems, and then we teach them to mentor and support their peers with similar issues.
Our mission is to reach every teen in need, and leave no kid behind.
– Ken Baker
Blog
Poor choices and mistakes are just events in our lives
In life we all make poor choices or mistakes. At Soaring Above Teen Center we teach that those are events in our lives, they are not who we are. Sometimes those choices or actions come with a price. Maybe a punishment, a fine and maybe even a scar or two. We have to...
Calendar
Our Regular Events & Activities
Monday
Open 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Tuesday
Youth Ministry
Open 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Thursday
Tournaments 4:00 pm
Open 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Tuesday
Conversation Tuesday
Open 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm Conversations start at 4:00 pm
Wednesday
Home Work Help From 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Open 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Friday
Open 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Our organization
What We Are About
We endeavor to provide a safe place for teens to hang out daily while they build relationships and develop life skills. We are a faith-based program. We share God’s love, help teens build self-confidence and show them that there are adults that care about them.
Our Junior Board
Soaring Above Teen Center has a Junior Board made up of five to seven members that help the volunteers run the center. They also help come up with fund raising ideas, tournaments, field trips new rules if needed and help with speaking events. The members are made up of the teens that show the best leadership qualities.
Code of Conduct
All members and volunteers are expected to follow the center rules. No use of drugs, alcohol or bad words. There is no hugging, kissing, hand holding, no revealing clothing, bulling, hitting, pushing or sitting in each other’s laps. No destruction of property. Each game in the center has it’s on set of rules to follow.
Schedule
The Center is open from 2:30pm until 6:00pm on weekdays. We also have regularly scheduled events.
Teens We've Served
Community Service Hours
Active Volunteers
Years Established
Get In Touch
Location: 318 S Jefferson St., Ionia, MI 48846
Telephone: (616) 523-4570
Hours:
M-F: 2:30pm - 6pm
Non-Discrimination Policy
As long as the rules and safety are not compromised, everyone between the ages of 12 and 18 who is attending school is welcome to become a member.