By SYDNEY KENT
Music, laughter and overlapping chatter filled the room on Wednesday afternoon as volunteers and teens celebrated three years of serving kids in the community.
The Garage Youth Center, a dedicated youth ministry located on the corner of Wabash and Main Streets in Bluffton, opened its doors in September 2021. Since then, the nonprofit has served 91,119 meals to kids.
Arley Higginbotham, The Garage’s main organizer, smiled ear to ear as he surveyed the space. Tubs of Bluebell ice cream sat next to a large celebration cake. Hot dogs rolled on a rack behind the counter with snacks, chips and candy stationed on the island.
Though the cake and ice cream were there for the special occasion, Higginbotham said the rest of the items are available regularly. Kids sign a simple attendance-style sheet when they arrive, with each person allowed a specific amount of food and drinks at no cost.
Somewhere around five years ago, Higginbotham prayed for moments like this. His goal was simple: to create a Christ-centered, safe place for kids to play and engage with one another.
Higginbotham took a leap of faith when he decided to leave his position as a pastor without any certainty of how to turn his ideas into reality. He said he struggled to find a suitable location — until he ran into his friend Rick Perry at the store.
“I asked him if he knew what The Moose was going to do with the space,” Higginbotham said, referencing the former Deck’s Service Station. “He said they wanted to make it a center for youth. I told him my idea, and he thought it was perfect for what they wanted.”
From there, local organizations, community members and churches joined the efforts to create a center that kids would love.
Most items were donated, according to Higginbotham. An impressive stage and sound system, new garage doors, furniture for the building, appliances, food supplies for hungry kids and much more began to enter the doors.
“I could not seem to spend any money,” Higginbotham laughed. “It has been truly amazing. Every need we have had — has been filled. We have been blessed again and again.”
Enough money was also quickly raised for the group to purchase a van to transport kids to church on Sundays.
“We’ve had nine kids give their lives to Christ,” Higginbotham added tearfully.
Rick Perry, a long-time supporter and volunteer, recalled a particularly impactful moment after a mother, new to the community, wholeheartedly thanked him for their care.
“To be able to have a space for kids to feel cared about, and like people are there for them,” Perry said. “That is a good feeling.”
After years of serving as a pastor, he built relationships with children who needed more than one Wednesday night service per week. Thanks to a group of faithful volunteers, the organization is open six nights per week from 3:30-7:30 p.m.
Higginbotham also provides a weekly Wednesday night bible study. Additional events include karaoke nights, concerts and more. Children 12 years and older are welcome to attend, with younger children requiring an adult to stay with them.
For more information regarding attending, volunteering, or donating, call 260-273-0600 or visit the organization’s Facebook page or website at gogarage.org.
sydney@news-banner.com
