As I walk into the room in the corner of the basement, the warmth of the room is a welcome contrast to the brisk cold of the mid-September air. The three battered old sofas are lined up in the same fashion they always are; in the shape of a semicircle. The couches have seen more than their fair share of use. The one on right, the largest one, does not have all its legs holding it up anymore. It is very soft to the point of being too soft. The light tan and green colors swallow the youth up, sinking into a deep hole that leaves everyone too low to the ground to be properly comfortable. The middle couch is by far in the worst condition of the three. The couch has only two cushions, but can comfortably seat three people. The center of the couch is missing springs. When someone sits down in the middle, he or she continues to sink, and the resulting position is rather uncomfortable. The couch closest to the door finishes the left side of the semi-circle. This couch is the most comfortable of the three couches. Its outer coating of cloth is the same design as that of the center couch; an off-white body with gray and blue lines running vertically.
The focal point for the semi-circle is a white board, which tonight has been furnished with all sorts of announcements wittily drawn by a skilled artist. To the left and right of the white board there are notes of potential interest to members of youth group. Youth group regulars who end up in the news can be found on the tack board to the right of the white board. Letters from youth group members who have moved on to college also adorn the tack board. There are fascinating pamphlets relating to the various ministries the church is connected with. To the left of the white board there are pictures of the most recent mission’s trip the youth group has gone on. The white board and tack boards are on a removable wall. The entire wall can be pushed down, leaving the basement available for fellowship meals. On the opposite side of the room there are two windows at ground level. In between the two windows is a gigantic tack board. This one is full of random pictures containing members of youth group at events. Many of these pictures are old, a reminder of the youth group that existed in the past. After seeing the people in these pictures and the twenty or so people currently populating this room, it is clear that some changes have occurred. The people in the pictures show a playful spirit, and an easy to get along with attitude. Throughout the room the story is different. A girl puts her hood up and then pulls it down over her eyes, as if no one can tell she just wants to sleep. A boy on the sofa to the right rolls his eyes in a condescending manner. The noises that now fill the room are not same as they were a few years ago. Multiple conversations go on all at one time, with few people caring what someone on the other side of the room might be saying. Where there was once unity, now there is separation. Where there had been love, now there is dislike. A boy with turrets has an outbreak of noise, and the boy on the tan sofa imitates him and snickers.
There is a table near the door. On it there is a Staples set of easy organization drawers. Inside there are pens, pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, note cards, and a plethora of other activity supplies. Also on the table is a plastic container with a red screw on top that is used to collect the offering. Between the center and right couches there is a small bookshelf full of Christian music and literature. On top of the three and a half foot bookshelf there is a radio. To the right of that shelf lies a stack of large pillows. Some of the pillows are already in use around the room, and more will disappear from the pile as people try to make sitting on the floor as comfortable as possible. As everyone settles in I realize that this youth room is home, and it’s peculiarities are part of what makes it so special.