Just two years after it opened its doors, the LaSalle Hangout is looking for a new home.
It's outgrowing its current spot on Laurier Dr. and is looking for a new location on Front Rd. in LaSalle.
"We're looking for at least 900 sq ft location," says founder and director Rama Kovacsi. "Anyone that has any ideas for us, or any locations for us is always welcome."
Kovacsi says she was nine-months pregnant when she opened LaSalle Hangout, but with support from her family, volunteers and the town she charged ahead and hasn't looked back. Town council continues to help with an agreement to waive rental fees until the end of the summer.
She says there's a good reason why the LaSalle Hangout should be on Front Rd.
"That's where most of the youth that comes into the LaSalle Hangout are from. They can't go to Vollmer Centre or down on Malden [Rd.] because it's a long bike ride and they don't have transportation, and we don't have buses yet," Kovacsi says. "That part of the town there's no programming, there're no activities for them."
An average 30 youth come to the hangout each day, so many the organization needs volunteers as existing ones burn out.
And the kids tell Kovasci they need the hangout.
"I would have gotten into trouble this summer [they say], because every summer I get into trouble because there's nothing for me to do," she says.
-- With files from Ricardo Veneza.
