On August 27, the Impact Project completed building a handicap ramp at The Place's new Teen Center in St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Bainbridge. The project was supported by St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, The Impact Project, PD's Handyman Services Central NY, Curtis Lumber Company, Sidney Federal Credit Union, Arrowhead Parable Christian Store, Norwich Tractor, and individuals who contributed time, materials, and funding. (Submitted photo)

BAINBRIDGE — The Place is working on a new Teen Center at 1 Church Street in Bainbridge, within the rectory of the St. Peter's Episcopal Church. On August 27, the Impact Project completed a handicap ramp at the new location to improve accessibility for all Chenango County youth.

"The Teen Center in Bainbridge is an expansion of our EPIC Teen Program designed to provide a safe, welcoming, and engaging space for local youth. It will offer teens a place to connect, learn, and grow outside of school hours—supporting their social, emotional, and developmental needs through structured programming and informal drop-in opportunities," explained The Place Executive Director Sharon Vesely.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church Junior Warden Sue Shove said the church had space available in the rectory, that recently has only been used during emergencies such as floods. They are also no stranger to supporting the community; the church often works with the local food pantry and soup kitchen, and provides twice weekly meals through the Area Agency on Aging.

Additionally, the Chenango County Youth Bureau had been looking to expand youth services in the southern part of the county, making the partnership with The Place an easy decision.

"[There was] a need for youth services in this area," said Shove. "We had Headstart at our church for many, many, many years, and when they moved to the school, just because it was more economical, then we had space and resources to work with that."