By Sterling McGinn
Through the generosity of multiple donors, the Luce County Community Resources and Recreation center, better known as the LINK, will remain at their current location at least until August 31 of this year.
The building housing the LINK is owned by the Tahquamenon Area Senior Citizens (TASC), which sent the LINK a letter in May requiring a $750 monthly rental fee beginning this June and a $1,000 deposit.
The LINK had been operating rent-free since opening their doors in 1998. Paying a $1,000 deposit and a monthly rental fee is something the organization says it cannot afford.
Another letter was sent by TASC ordering the center to vacate the building by June 10, but LINK Director Pam Juarez said the two organizations have reached an agreement that allows the LINK stay in their building to August 31. “Hopefully we can work out another agreement to stay much longer,” Juarez said.
A wave of community support is working to make that happen.
One anonymous donor covered the $1,000 deposit and another paid the first month’s rent. Newberry Motors is covering July’s rent, and Helen Newberry Joy Hospital is covering August.
Juarez is very appreciative of the overwhelming support the youth center has received.
The summer is a critical time for the LINK, Juarez said. Many kids who live in food-insecure homes eat breakfast and lunch at school during the school year. But in the summer, they rely on the breakfast and lunch at the LINK, which serves them two meals a day.
“For the summer, the kids will have someplace to go that is safe, and we will be feeding them,” Juarez said.
