Staff, youth settling into The Loft's new space

FINDLAY — The Loft is open for business. Brooke Nissen, executive director of the FOCUS Recovery and Wellness Center, said the young people who use the facility are loving the new drop-in center — although it didn't happen overnight. "The first building inspection of the space was in July 2023. This has been a long time coming," she laughed. The center has moved several times since first opening in 2019. There was a former gymnasium on Carlin Street, the fourth floor of an East Crawford Street building and most recently Glenwood Middle School. But now home is located at 1908 N. Main St. The facility operates to support youth ages 10-17 who have been impacted by oppression, adversity or trauma, said Nissen. The house, which was formerly used by Family Resource Center, was renovated and now has a full kitchen where kids can learn to cook; a meeting room; offices; an arts/crafts/programming room; a youth lounge; and a sensory control room. Since opening, Nissen said they've been seeing upwards to 18 youth a day. That number has even climbed to 21 on occasion, she said, and as low as 13. It operates as a drop-in center so youth come when they want. That causes the numbers to fluctuate. They maintain a ratio of one staff member per eight children. Nissen said all of their programs are stemmed around SAMHSA's (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) four pillars of recovery which include home, health, community and purpose. "So we intentionally plan our programming to help them learn coping skills or social connections is a huge one, of kids wanting to come here to have a friend or to connect with someone who's like them," she said. "It's been really great, too, because Martha's House (next door), I think we've seen four new youth come over." In an attempt to save money, the staff did all of the painting themselves. To appeal to youth, each room is a different color including orange, green, blue and red. Doors are all painted purple. Nissen explained that purple is the color for recovery, and purple and green have been adopted as the agency's colors. Murals throughout the house were created by Amber Kear of Hysteria Co., who donated her time. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Most youth come in after school. "Summer is when we'll really start to probably see youth coming in at all hours," she said. The staff is also considering how to add weekend hours during the summer months to meet the demand. "We're just seeing how we're going to best meet the needs of the community because we do have teenagers that like to utilize the space, but a teenager doesn't want to do 10-year-old stuff all the time so we do split programming internally. But now it's about how do we put more attention maybe toward the teenagers," Nissen said. Programs technically start at 4 p.m. which gives youth time to get there and get settled. Some use the time to finish homework. They open with a circle where everyone sits together and says who they are and go over any new information they have to share. Then they're free to participate in that day's program or pick their own activity which could be gardening, journaling, playing board games or connecting more with staff. The schedule of programs varies each day, said Nissen. "Engagement does happen, but it looks differently for each kid," she said. The staff are trained peer supporters and two of the three are trained in youth peer support specifically. But they all have lived experience with being a youth themselves and having struggles, said Nissen. "So they really understand and work with the kids a little bit better because of that. It's a very important factor for our programming," she said. And because they now have their own place, Nissen said there's more parent engagement than she's ever seen. Parents are walking the children in and taking tours of the space. This was all made possible when the agency won a $375,000 state grant to afford the youth center and related renovations. As part of the grant terms, they needed to raise a match of $125,000 which they did — and exceeded — with help from the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, Findlay Rotary Club and private donors, Nissen said. With the building paid off, they're now they working to raise money for an endowment through the Community Foundation to help maintain the building. Like other agencies, state funding has been cut and FOCUS is not receiving as much funding from the Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services. "Just the lay of the land is all different," said Nissen. She said they're hoping to raise $300,000 for the endowment. Of that, 4% of the interest — about $12,000 — would come back to the Loft each year. That money could then be put towards any of their operations. "I'm so thankful to the donors who contributed to this. This is where we need to start," Nissen said. "But now it's about fundraising for that endowment and to bring awareness because kids' mental health is climbing. That climb is what we're here to try and help." Fundraising is something new for the agency. In March, the second annual "I am Somebody" silent art auction was held. And they were recently awarded a $65,000 expansion grant to transport youth in rural areas of the county to the Loft. "It's nice we're right here with Glenwood. And it's one mile from here to Findlay High School. But we're Hancock County, not just Findlay," she said. She said there's been great volunteerism happening at the adult side of things at FOCUS. Now she's hoping that people will want to volunteer at the Loft as well. A state background check is required to work with youth. A team through Days of Caring came and did the landscaping at the new location, she said. "But volunteers could mow the yard, pull weeds. If they like working with youth, they could run programs," she said. A couple of people have offered to do a cooking program, she said. Someone else who has a counseling degree wants to come onsite and run programs with the agency. Volunteers could also introduce the youth to new hobbies like birdwatching or sewing. "If people like kids, this is your place," she said. Some needed items at the center include snacks, drinks and even garden produce that can be used in cooking; craft items; toiletries and feminine hygiene products; cookware, dish soap and dish towels; and toilet paper and paper towels. For more information or to help, call the Loft at 419-405-0587. Donations to the endowment fund can be directed to the Community Foundation.