Who we are
Purpose The One-Eighty Teen Center is dedicated to impacting the lives of high school and junior high students by providing a safe, fun, positive place for teens. This is accomplished through meaningful activities, mentoring relationships and support systems that encourage spiritual growth and promote positive development and healthy decisions.
Our Story
Yesterday The One-Eighty Teen Center began as a dream in the minds and hearts of two Lodi youth pastors in the summer of 2000. They had collectively done over 20 years of youth ministry and were determined to use their experience to create a safe, fun, and positive place for teens and eliminate the phrase, “There’s nothing to do in Lodi!” from teenagers’ lips. The task of opening a teen center from scratch seemed monstrous, but through prayer and faithful servants, miracles began to happen. A 5,300 square foot warehouse was purchased in August 2001 and leased to the One-Eighty Teen Center at the cost of one dollar a year. Then dozens of individuals and businesses caught a glimpse of the vision and stepped out in faith, donating $75,000 in cash and $205,000 in in-kind donations for remodeling and equipment. In addition, United Way awarded One-Eighty a $130,000 two-year grant to assist the Center in getting programs started. By May of 2002, the One-Eighty Teen Center was in full operation. Over the next seven years, One-Eighty established the area’s only weekly live music venue for teens and built an 8,000 Sq. ft professional skatepark. Together with our daily afterschool café, the Teen Center now draws more than 1,000 visits a month.
Today Since the inception of One-Eighty, the staff and leadership have invested more than just hours to a job. They have invested their very hearts and lives into this ministry, building long-term relationships of trust and change with the young people who come here. While “something to do” is still a central part of our purpose, seven years has taught us that many young people in our community need more than just a fun place to hang out. Our Live Music Venue, Café, and Skatepark bring in thousands of kids each year, many of whom are considered “at-risk.” This is why we have invested a massive amount of prayer, time, and resources into a new set of programs: One-Eighty Adolescent & Family Services (AFS). We now offer professional counseling services, substance abuse & gang intervention, and a wide range of other adolescent services.
In all of this, our hope is that the model for what we do can come as close as possible to the model of ministry that Jesus himself gave us. He offered healing to human beings for every part of our lives- physical, emotional, and spiritual.
Tomorrow Though the economy is in a state of flux, God continues to provide for One-Eighty in phenomenal ways. For example, at the height of the economic downturn in 2009 we secured funding and purchased the adjacent property. With a little work, a little money and a lot of prayer, the 100 year-old building will be renovated and become the Dan Brown House for Adolescent & Family Services. This facility will eventually be the epicenter our AFS Programs, with private counseling space, group therapy space, and living space for one or two of our interns. A rear basketball court & front outdoor seating area will also be added to our campus. With the next property over now up for sale (at a bargain-basement price), who knows what might happen next!
One-Eighty is a privately funded, non-profit organization that depends on the community it serves. If you are interested in getting involved in this exciting ministry, please click here.