The Santiam Teen Center (STC) provides a safe, enjoyable environment where any teenager can engage in constructive, educational and social activities with the help of trained volunteers.
STC strives to empower young adults who will enrich the community by developing relationships through positive interactions.
Santiam Teen Center operates under our parent organization, New Growth Ministries. Founded in 2011, New Growth Ministries was a community endeavor in partnership with Safe Families for Children, a nationwide organization, to provide food, shelter, and hope for youth in crisis in order to promote and facilitate their resilience. Safe Families for Children is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that equips churches and other non-nonprofits with tools to provide hope and support to families in crisis. These groups of caring, compassionate, volunteer community members are located in 70 cities across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and beyond. They are motivated by faith to keep children safe and families intact.
In 2018, New Growth Ministries shifted its focus to open the Santiam Teen Center, a safe, welcoming, after school program for all youth in 7th-12th grade. STC was created to give teens a place to share a meal, enjoy activities, learn new skills, get help with schoolwork, and build healthy relationships with peers and trusted adult role models. Our trained volunteers listen, support and show up consistently for our local teens. We are a home away from home; where every teen feels comfortable and welcome.
As a nonprofit organization, we rely entirely on the generosity of volunteers, donors and community partners who share our commitment to supporting the youth of our community. Their time, talent and financial contributions make it possible for us to continue this work year after year.
At STC, our work is guided by a commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for every teen who walks through our doors. We believe that young people thrive when they are seen, valued, and surrounded by consistent, caring adults. As a ministry, we approach each teen with compassion, dignity, and respect, meeting them where they are and walking alongside them as they grow.
We prioritize safety, belonging, and stability. Our team works to build trust through genuine relationships, predictable routines, and a culture of kindness. We use a trauma informed approach that recognizes the challenges many teens face and responds with patience, understanding, and encouragement.
We also believe in the power of community. Our volunteers, donors, and partners play a vital role in supporting teens with their basic needs, personal development, and future goals. Together, we create a place where teens feel safe, welcome, and able to be themselves as they build confidence, develop life skills, and experience the hope and support they deserve.
Hannah first joined STC as a volunteer and quickly stepped into leadership through her dedication, steady presence, and deep care for the teens we serve. She brings both lived experience and a degree in psychology to her role, using her training to support teens with compassion, insight, and a steady approach.
Originally from Northern California, Hannah now calls Oregon home. She is known for her open-mindedness, compassion, and calm presence. Her heart for caring for teens comes from her own story and the adults who showed up for her growing up, and she is committed to offering that same steady support to the teens at STC.
Outside of work, Hannah enjoys ham radio, rock climbing and spending time with the amazing people in her life. She loves being outdoors and taking in the beauty of God’s creation, where she feels a deep sense of connection and renewal.
The Santiam Teen Center is led by a Board of Directors who is dedicated to stewarding its mission, providing leadership, financial oversight, and strategic guidance to advance the organization’s long‑term sustainability, strengthen its programs, and deepen its impact on the youth and families of our community.