Anchor at News 5 Cleveland
GARFIELD HEIGHTS — Once a week for the last 20 years, St. John Lutheran Church in Garfield Heights has opened its gym to give teens a place to shoot hoops and build healthy relationships. Now, that church, which has been a blessing to so many, is asking for help in return."This started very innocently," said Karen Dutton, Minister of Youth and Family Ministries at St. John Lutheran Church.
"We just found ways to set it up to control it to keep it safe," Dutton said."So that the kids come and have a safe place and learn respect and how to treat each other kindly. We just listen for language and make sure that they're not playing too aggressively. We know it's a contact sport!"She said pre-covid attendance numbers were higher.While the gym gets the job done, it doesn't take an eagle's eye to notice it is starting to age.
Some of the kids said updates are needed and would be greatly appreciated, but the space itself isn't what attracted them to come to play basketball."My friend Terrance in there, he had told me that it's happening, so I came and brought my mom," said high school student Jayden Nathan.
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