The doors of the One Stop Youth Center on South Main Street in Brundidge officially opened with a ribbon cutting Saturday morning.

The youth center is the first in many years for the city of 2,000. City and Pike County Chamber officials, business leaders and community members gathered to applaud the commitment Delana Flowers, her board and staff have made to the youth of Brundidge.

Brundidge Mayor Isabell Boyd expressed appreciation to Flowers and all of those who have had a part in bringing the youth center to Brundidge.

“This is a special place for young people to go for fellowship, entertainment and learning,” Boyd said. “It is a safe place for our young people and I ask that each and every one of them will be respectful of this opportunity and supportive of the vision for this center.”

The mayor said it is her hope that the confidence Flowers has placed in the City of Brundidge and its young people will be rewarded with many years of success.

Flowers said today’s children are the future of the Brundidge community and some of them are being lost to drugs and gun violence.

“I am aware that we cannot save everyone but we can make an effort to save at least one,” Flowers said. “When you have the opportunity to be an example to those that will frame our future, you have to pursue it. The action that has been taken has been discussed for decades but without any solution. So, I am ecstatic about the vision God has given me and I am praying that God has also given that vision to our community.”

The One Stop Youth Center will offer tutoring, wireless Internet and game and snack areas for young people ages 8 through 18.  Plans include GED classes, mentoring and tutoring opportunities and leadership that will teach young people how to be productive members of society.

“There are life skills that need to be taught while minds are impressionable,” Flowers said. “It is my hope and belief that the people in our community will be willing to share their knowledge and talents with our young people so that they will be productive and contributing members of our community and all of society.”

The One Stop Youth Center board includes Flowers, center founder and board members Mark Griffin, vice president, Henry Everette, Andrea Wilkerson and Paxton Flowers.

The One Stop Youth Center hours are from 3 until 9 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 until 7 p.m. on Sundays. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by a parent or a responsible adult or sibling 12 years or older.