When Powell students are released early on Friday afternoons, some roam the downtown area — and some cause problems for businesses. This spring, after growing weary of dealing with disruptive youth, several business owners called for more after-school activities for youth. Their plea didn’t fall on deaf ears.

During a Sunday service last spring, “I almost heard an audible voice: ‘We can do something about this,’” Grace Point Pastor Jon Allen recalled. As it turned out, others were also feeling divine prompting, they began working on a possible solution: creating a place for youth to go on Friday afternoons. They’re now planning to open “The Link” next month.

The program will be housed inside the former Mason lodge, at the corner of Absaroka and Second streets.

Ken and Michelle McKinney acquired the former lodge last year, with the thought of converting it into a residence. However, the roughly 5,700 square foot structure ultimately didn’t seem to be the best fit. So when the couple learned of the need for a spot to host local youth, they offered up the building. It had everything the group was seeking: plenty of space, a kitchen and all just a couple blocks from Powell Middle School.

“... I see it as a God thing,” Ken McKinney said of the way things have worked out.

The group is hustling to officially reopen the former lodge as The Link on Friday, Sept. 15. However, they need volunteers to help with a host of tasks that range from sprucing up the building to serving as student mentors, tutors and instructors. They’re also seeking donations and prayers.

“It really is a big deal and it’s going to be a commitment,” Allen said during a July 18 meeting at the site.

One of the primary aims of The Link is to provide a more constructive outlet for the boisterous behavior that some unsupervised middle schoolers bring to downtown businesses following Friday’s 12:45 p.m. school bell. It’s specifically intended to serve as more than just a hangout. Tentative plans call for a mixture of games, Bible teaching, mentoring and life skills — such as lessons on cooking, sewing, leatherwork, fly-tying or how to change a tire. Group member Lou Kirkham said it could help students discover talents or even a career they might never have considered.

While a teen could try watching a YouTube tutorial, group member Sarah Durney said being taught by another person “means so much more.”

“This idea was not for entertainment. It’s not to, ‘Come out here, we’re gonna watch a movie and, you know, say a prayer …,’” Durney said. “But it’s more of, ‘Let’s be involved with our kids a little bit more.’”

Both she and Allen referenced the challenges faced by some of today’s youth, from broken homes to depression and thoughts of suicide — struggles they say can be intensified by social media. They want The Link to offer real life skills and coping mechanisms, including through mentoring and sharing the Christian faith. The Link’s name alludes in part to connecting youth with God, and Kirkham said it’s “unashamedly a Christian ministry.”

“That won’t change. We’re not going to compromise that,” she said, “but it does not mean that you have to be a certain kind of kid to come here.”

The Link will offer a loving and safe environment for all youth, Kirkham said. “Everyone is welcome.”

As the effort ramps up, it will likely operate under the umbrella of Grace Point, because the church can readily accept donations and obtain liability insurance. However, multiple churches have been involved in the planning, and the end goal is to establish The Link as a standalone nonprofit organization.

“We would love for a lot of churches to be involved,” Allen said.

The group also hopes to eventually expand The Link’s days of operation, but initially, it will only open on Friday afternoons, likely from 1-5 p.m.

“We want to make sure that we do that well” before adding more days, Allen said.

Mentors will undergo background checks and training — such as on First Aid, mandatory reporting and suicide prevention, he said — while being overseen by a paid executive director.

The Link will likely charge modest monthly membership fees to help cover some of the costs and encourage parent buy-in, but with scholarships offered to those who can’t afford it.

At last month’s meeting, organizers said it will take work to make The Link a success for students; a similar effort known as The Garage fizzled out years ago, in part because of a lack of volunteers. But organizers expressed faith that God will provide.

“We have a lot of needs — a lot of needs — and a huge heart in this community,” Durney said.

Anyone interested in volunteering, donating or learning more about The Link can contact the Grace Point office at 307-754-3639 or office@gracepointpowell.org.